This paper aims to examine what nursing discipline has accomplishd to date and projects what could be its preferred future from global perspective. Major contextual factors that influence nursing are examined in light of their significance on the progress of nursing discipline. These include evolution of society, and trends in higher education and health care market. The perspective of world health is gained from WHO, an organization recognized for its mission for the health of people worldwide. As the future builds on the present that, in turn, builds on the past, major milestones of nursing discipline, particularly that of education system from the inception of nursing to present is highlighted. The importance of research to advance science and improve peoples health are presented along with a call for nursing research to be responsive to societal needs. The preferred future for nursing discipline is presented integrating the trends of society, higher education, and health care environment. Doctoral education that is the hallmark of nursing scholarship is further elaborated in terms of its mission, needs, and quality attainment. Data from the International Network of Doctoral Education in Nursing are presented along with information about current attempts in developing quality criteria and indicators for doctoral education in nursing worldwide. Majority of information in this paper comes from the United States, unless specified otherwise.