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.
Books
Book subject searches
Journal articles
Journals
Exhibitions and Events
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Explore some of the past and present exhibitions at the RCN's Library and Museum in London.
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Check our upcoming events.
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Special Collections
Historical Journals
The RCN Library and Museum 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.
If you are a member of the RCN you have access to a digitised collection of 22 nursing journals from the Royal College of Nursing Collection covering dates from 1891 to 1986. It contains information about nursing, hospitals, wards, staff, illness and diseases, medicine and treatments, hospital equipment and events.
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Digitised journal available online.
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Viewable by appointment at the RCN Library and Heritage Centre.
View journal details
Archives
- 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
- RCN archive catalogue
- RCN Digital Archive
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RCN Members can explore the records of past events, such as Congress and Annual General Meetings, using the Digital Archive for Members.
RCN Digital Archive for members - Royal College of Nursing Bulletin (1920-1926)
- Royal College of Nursing Annual Reports (1917 – 2017)
This subject guide relates to:
Diane McCourt
Editor of this guide
RCN Library and Museum
Upcoming events relating to this subject guide
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22 Jan 2025
Online
Killer Smog: The history of air pollution and occupational health (online)
An online talk on the history of air pollution and the origins of the role of occupational health nurses.
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29 Apr 2025
Edinburgh
Stories from Hospitals Back Home during the First World War (hybrid)
Join our panel of speakers for an evening of talks exploring how in the First World War, volunteers provided nurses with vital support as they cared for sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals back home.
Page last updated - 17/09/2024