Blog
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11 Dec 2024
From the Archives: Alice Bird - Shaping the profession at Leeds General Infirmary
The RCN archives hold a wealth of artifacts and papers documenting the history of nursing from individual lives to major events. This blog series from the History of Nursing Forum is delving into the collection to share its treasures and to bring the archive to life. This is the second of 3 posts, concerning Alice Bird, a 20th Century nurse, midwife and tutor who worked in Sussex and London during World War 2, before becoming a nurse tutor at Leeds General Infirmary.
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24 Oct 2024
Ethical Responsibilities of Nurses: Exploring Lessons from History
The study of nurses' roles during the Nazi regime is not just a historical enquiry but a crucial learning opportunity for nursing students. It significantly shapes the understanding of the ethical responsibilities inherent in the profession and serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when caregivers fail to protect life.
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9 Oct 2024
From the Archives: Alice Bird in World War Two
The RCN archives hold a wealth of artefacts and papers documenting the history of nursing from individual lives to major events. This blog series from the History of Nursing Forum is delving into the collection to share its treasures and to bring the archive to life. This is the first of 3 posts, concerning Alice Bird, a 20th Century nurse, midwife and tutor who worked in Sussex and London during World War Two.
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12 Sep 2024
Dr. West's 'How to Nurse Sick Children'
Lifting the lid on children's nursing in 1854.
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12 Aug 2024
Congratulations to Dr Jane Brooks for winning the 2024 Lavinia L. Dock book prize
Congratulations are due to Dr Jane Brooks for achieving the prestigious 2024 Lavinia L. Dock Award for her latest book Jewish Refugees and the British Nursing Profession, A Gendered Opportunity.
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31 Jul 2024
Sister Freda Airey S R N: ‘lost at sea’ 12 February 1944
I volunteer with a thriving local history and archive group in my village of Arnside. A recent acquisition is the painstaking research of a resident, documenting every villager who died in WW1, WW2 and the Korean War. My attention was drawn to the only woman in the list, Sister Freda Airey. Who was she? How did she die?
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29 May 2024
Louisa’s Lament: where history meets fiction.
This book review explores the writing of 'Louisa's lament', a novel which sheds light on a group of pioneering nurses in 1880, and the trouble they experienced. For me it was a good read - a fascinating glimpse into history, with resonance for contemporary organisational conflict.
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30 Apr 2024
Looking to trace a nurse from the past? Start here
Are you interested in tracing a nurse from the past? Maybe a family member, someone important to your field of practice, or who nursed at a significant point in our history? Are you wondering where to start looking? This updated guide is there to help you and is an excellent starting point.
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24 Apr 2024
Remembering Daphne Steele
The first blue plaque outside London has recently been unveiled and recognises a pioneering Black nurse and midwife, Daphne Steele.
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28 Feb 2024
Gaslight
This blog has been submitted by a member who wishes to remain anonymous, for reasons that will become clear as you read it. Bullying is a common phenomenon for nurses, with around a quarter of the nursing family experiencing bullying in the past year. This blog highlights my personal experience of “gaslighting” - a specific type of bullying, and how I am gradually recovering from this.