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Blog



15 blog posts
  • NMC-Code-of-Conduct-2004 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.

  • Janet Hargreaves Janet Hargreaves 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.

  • Sick-children Nicola Ring Nicola Ring 12 Sep 2024

    Dr. West's 'How to Nurse Sick Children'

    Lifting the lid on children's nursing in 1854.

  • Janet Hargreaves Janet Hargreaves 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. 

  • Janet Hargreaves Janet Hargreaves 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? 

  • Janet Hargreaves Janet Hargreaves 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.  

  • Vari Drennan and Janet Hargreaves Vari Drennan and Janet Hargreaves 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. 

  • Claire Chatterton Claire Chatterton 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.

  • Anonymous Anonymous 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.

  • Dr Sarah Rogers and Margaret Graham Dr Sarah Rogers and Margaret Graham 21 Feb 2024

    History of Nursing Forum volunteers receive the Wikimedia UK, Partnership of the Year Award

    History of Nursing Forum volunteers for the 'Women in Red’ project, which uploads nursing history to the Wikipedia website, received the above award at the annual Wikimedia UK community on-line meeting in November 2023.