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History of Nursing

The history of nursing encompasses the story of the largest section of the health care workforce, in war and peace, home and hospital. It includes the nursing care of adults, mothers and babies, children, and people with a learning disability or mental health problem. Use this guide as a starting point to find information resources related to the history of nursing including books, journals, archives and exhibitions.

Last updated: 16/03/2020

Books

Anionwu, E (2016) Mixed blessings from a Cambridge union, London: ELIZAN Anionwu, E (2016) Mixed blessings from a Cambridge union, London: ELIZAN
Bellman, L, B; Boase, S; Roger, S et al (2018) Nursing through the years: Care and compassion at the Royal London Hospital, Barnsley: Pen & Sword History. Bellman, L, B; Boase, S; Roger, S et al (2018) Nursing through the years: Care and compassion at the Royal London Hospital, Barnsley: Pen & Sword History.
Brooks, J (2018) Negotiating nursing: British Army sisters and soldiers in the Second World War, Manchester: Manchester University Press. Brooks, J (2018) Negotiating nursing: British Army sisters and soldiers in the Second World War, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Brooks J & Hallett C E (2015) (editors) One Hundred Years of Nursing Wartime Practices, 1854-1953, Manchester : Manchester University Press. Brooks J & Hallett C E (2015) (editors) One hundred years of nursing wartime practices, 1854-1953, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Cohen S (2018) The district nurse: a pictorial history, Barnsley: Pen & Sword History. Cohen S (2018) The district nurse: a pictorial history, Barnsley: Pen & Sword History.
D'Antonio P (2013) Routledge handbook on the global history of nursing, Abingdon: Routledge. D'Antonio P (2013) Routledge handbook on the global history of nursing, Abingdon: Routledge.
Graham M (2013) Nurses voices from the Northern Ireland troubles: personal accounts form the front line, London: RCN Publishing Graham M (2013) Nurses voices from the Northern Ireland troubles: personal accounts form the front line, London: RCN Publishing.
Hallett C (2017) The Nurses of Passchendaele, Barnsley: Pen & Sword. Hallett C (2017) The nurses of Passchendaele, Barnsley: Pen and Sword.
McGann S, Crowther, A & Dougall R (2009) A History of the Royal College of Nursing, 1916-1990: A Voice for Nursing, Manchester: Manchester University Press. McGann S, Crowther, A & Dougall R (2009) A history of the Royal College of Nursing, 1916-1990: A voice for nursing, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Morrison, C, M (2017) Hebridean heroines: twentieth century queen’s nurses (1940s-1970s), Laxay, Isle of Lewis: Island Book Trust.
Mortimer B (2012) Sisters memories from the courageous nurses of world war two. London: Hutchenson. Mortimer B (2012) Sisters memories from the courageous nurses of world war two, London: Hutchenson.
Palmer D (2014) Who cared for the carers? A history of the occupational health of nurses, 1880-1948, Manchester: Manchester University Press. Palmer D (2014) Who cared for the carers? A history of the occupational health of nurses, 1880-1948, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Seacole, M (2014) Wonderful adventures of Mrs Seacole in many lands, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Seacole, M (2014) Wonderful adventures of Mrs Seacole in many lands, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Skretkowicz V (editor) (1992) Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing (Revised with additions), London: Scutari Press. Skretkowicz V (editor) (1992) Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing (revised with additions), London: Scutari Press.
Sweet H & Hawkins S (2015) (editors) Colonial Caring: A History of Colonial and Post-Colonial Nursing. Manchester: Manchester University Press. Sweet H & Hawkins S (2015) (editors) Colonial caring: A history of colonial and post-colonial nursing, Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Book subject searches

Use these links to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on each topic.
We would like to thank the RCN History of Nursing member community for their input into the development of this subject guide.

Journal articles

Use these links for details of journal articles on each topic.

Journals

Journals of interest for the history of nursing. Use these links to see details of availability.

Exhibitions and Events

Online Library Exhibitions
  • Explore some of the past and present exhibitions at the RCN's Library and Heritage Centre in London.
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Library Events

Special Collections

Our Permanent Collection consists of nursing specific core items and rare items. It is viewable by appointment at the RCN Library and Heritage Centre. Here is a small selection of items from our collection.
Baly M (1980) Nursing and social change, London: Heinemann.
Grove EW (1917) Text-book for nurses anatomy, physiology, surgery and medicine, London: Henry Frowde.
Nightingale F (1865) Organization of nursing : an account of the Liverpool Nurses' Training School, its foundation, progress, and operation in hospital, district, and private nursing, Liverpool: A. Holden.
Rathbone W (1868) Workhouse nursing : the story of a successful experiment, London: Macmillan.

Historical Journals

The RCN Library and Archive Service holds an unrivalled range of English language nursing journals from around the world. The earliest issues date back to 1888 with titles covering a wide variety of nursing fields.
Nursing Record/British Journal of Nursing (1888-1956)
  • Digitised journal available online.
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Nursing Times (1905-present)

Archives

The RCN Archive contains some of the most important collections dedicated to the history of the nursing profession in the UK. Visitors by appointment in Edinburgh.
Collections related to the history of nursing include:
  • Royal College of Nursing Archive 1916 – present. Search the Archives Catalogue (Ref No = RCN*)
  • Personal Papers. Search the Archives Catalogue (Ref No = C*)
  • Badges and medals. Search the Archive catalogue (Any Text = badge).
  • Oral History collection. Search the Archives Catalogue (Ref No = T)
  • Photographic collection. Images are available in the Archive catalogue (search Any Text = photograph)
  • Postcard collection. Search the Archives catalogue (Any Text = postcard)
  • Records of other nursing organisations. Search the Archives catalogue (Ref No = QNIS*)
RCN Archive

This subject guide relates to:

History of Nursing Forum
RCN Library staff

Diane McCourt

Author of this guide

RCN Library and Archive Services

Page last updated - 16/03/2020

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