This is the history of one of the largest nursing organizations in the world and one of the largest professional associations of women. The Royal College of Nursing began as a small professional association in 1916. Its work included nurses’ education, professional policy and labour relations. 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 labour history.
Susan McGann is Archivist for the Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom. Professor Anne Crowther is Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for the History of Medicine, University of Glasgow. Dr Rona Dougall is a Researcher in the Public Health Resource Unit, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
List of figuresAcknowledgementsAbbreviationsIntroduction1. Foundations2. Consolidation3. The struggle for influence, 1930-454. Nursing and the National Health Service, 1945-505. The work and training of a nurse6. The 1960s: a decade of discontent7. A professional union8. Nurses, managers and politiciansConclusionAppendix 1 TimechartAppendix 2 RCN membership 1916-2007Appendix 3 Structure of College 1932-49Appendix 4 Structure of College 1950-70Appendix 5 Structure of College 1970-77BibliographyIndex
