A History of the Royal College of Nursing 1916-90: A Voice for Nurses

This is the history of one of the largest nursing organizations in the world and one of the largest professional associations of women. Drawing on the archives of the Royal College of Nursing, this book provides a new insight into the politics of nursing in the twentieth century. This book deals with the position of nurses in British society during 20th century by examining the largest of their organizations. The Royal College of Nursing began as a small professional association in 1916. Its work included nurses’ education, professional policy and labor relations. This book puts the history of a single organization into a much wider perspective. It considers the history of nursing from political, social and economic points of view and sheds light on both gender relations and the position of women in the work place in Britain since 1916. The themes include the struggle to achieve professional status for nurses, the radicalization of nurses from the 1960s, the effect of immigration on nursing as a work force, gender relations within the profession and between nurses, their employers and other health professionals. This book will appeal to anyone interested in nursing studies, gender history and labor history.