How did you become interested in the history of nursing?

My interest piqued while working in Latin America. I was working for the Pan American Health Organization on a curriculum revision for the Belize School of Nursing. I needed a history, just a few introductory words to introduce the revision. I found that no one had a history to contribute except for personal narratives. That was when I decided to do my own historical research.

At that time, I realized my background in history was insufficient, so I had to go back and take history courses. That was a significant point, when I decided to go forward and concentrate on the historical perspectives.

What is the importance of studying the history of nursing and is it included in most curricula?

"Connecting the past with the present allows us to catch a glimpse of the future." History expands one's thinking, professional courage and identity. It brings cohesiveness to everyday occurrences. All nurses need to make a practice of looking for the antecedents.

Much like the nurse takes a patient history for information, the nurse needs to look at previous "baggage" to appreciate sensitivity to contextual variables and perspective. They need to critically evaluate the information they receive, encompassing what happens today and what happened yesterday.

History offers insight into the social pressures of the past, such as access to health care and the role of women. Studying history is invaluable. Examining past epidemics such as TB helps one deal with the resurgences that we are seeing today, such as AIDS.

The study of the history of nursing has varying degrees of presence in nursing curricula. However, it is becoming more prevalent in the master's and doctorate levels. The American Association for the History of Nursing completed a survey of all graduate nursing programs and found that less than 50 percent of those responding had a dedicated course on the history of nursing.

What do you see as milestones or critical times in the history of nursing?

The economic depression of the 1930s was a critical time. Prior to this time, only a few nurses were hired into hospitals. The rest did private duty as semi-independent practitioners. They had their own cases and went into the home to work. With the Depression, hospitals began to employ nurses but, with this, nurses lost control over their practice. Interestingly, we are now back where there are a number of independent practitioners, as it was before the depression.

World War II was another pivotal time. That was when the standards of nursing service were more closely analyzed and elevated. Nursing education gradually moved into the universities and nursing students were no longer "free labor." It was a time of nursing expansion, and educational opportunities for women increased.

The introduction of the intensive care unit with the development of new technologies was also a crucial time. The new technologies demanded skills for nurses to meet and manage. Prior to this time, advanced education for nurses concentrated on administration and education. Starting in the '70s, newer, specialized skills were needed to meet the technological advances.

What do you think when someone talks of the era in which "nurses felt like nurses"?

This is a difficult question to answer. I've been in nursing a long time and I still feel like a nurse. Although I have grown personally and professionally, I still see myself as a nurse.

Patients are sicker and technologies tend to take us away from patients. We can't make the connections we'd like. However, that caring, holistic component is still there and it cannot be taken away.

Are there any other issues that you'd like to address?

Yes, the American Association for the History of Nursing should be made known to a wider audience. Our Web site (www.aahn.org) offers information on activities, including several awards for historical research.

We are an American association with international members and have about 600 members. We actively support the history of nursing through research education, recognition and collaboration.