The history of nursing predates back to the mid-19th century. It is a rich tapestry woven with dedication, sacrifice, and political advocacy. This paper aims to provide an overview of nursing history and politics, with a particular focus on the feminist perspective on policy and politics during the 1930s and the 1940s.
The 1930s
The field of nursing faced a turbulent period during the 1930s majorly due to the economic challenges that resulted from the great depression. The challenges that resulted from the great depression called for a need to reform policies. Another challenge rose from the fact that traditional gender roles were prevalent thus denying autonomy within the nursing profession. However, with the emergence of nursing organizations such as American Nurses Association (ANA) advocacy for better conditions and education began. Even though nurses had restricted direct political participation, there are those who engaged in activism and indirectly supported feminist causes for reform (Lewenson, 2013).
1940’s: War Time Needs
During the 1940s, World War II had significant impact on nursing. Nurses placed a critical role in helping war victims. At the time, majority of the female nurses challenged the traditional gender roles by helping the army injured during the war. The experienced played by female nurses showcased a need for policy changes. A good example of such a policy change is the Bolton Act-Cadet Nurse Corps program which extended nursing education to women. Such an initiation was in agreement with the feminist principles of gender equality and women empowerment (UPenn Nursing Science, 2013).
From the provided historical scenarios, it can thus be asserted that the inclusion that female nurses have within the contemporary society has its roots from the efforts made during the 1930s and the 1940s.
References
Lewenson, S. (2013). A Historical Perspective on Policy, Politics and Nursing. In D. Mason, J. Leavitt, & M. Chaffee Eds. (2012). Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care (pp. 12-18). St. Louis: Elsevier.
UPenn Nursing Science. (2013). American Nursing: An introduction to the past. UPenn Nursing Science.
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