Historical memory and its importance to the nursing profession

Abstract

This paper focuses on two key themes: the role of history as a witness to key events, moments, or shifts in history; and the role of history in the on-going development of identity – identity of individuals, of groups, of nations or generations. I conclude with some comments about the way the study and the teaching of history can be approached. My argument has several strands: First history is useful in the specifics – sometimes there are stories we should not forget. We owe it to stand witness. Nursing has its own history in relation to these major events and our understanding of that history is important to the development of our identity as nurses. Second, there are stories that it is wise not to forget – we should learn from the blunders of those who came before us and show some wisdom. There are many areas in nursing where history appears to repeat itself. It is a very common story for nursing to be struggling for respect and recognition, for nursing to constantly need to justify its importance to the health care system, and for nurses to fail to persuade policy makers that nursing jobs should not be cut during economic downturns. Another frequent issue one hears of today that has strong historical echoes is the view that nurses of today are less knowledgeable or competent than they were in the past. Anyone who looked at history would quickly learn that this is a common and perennial problem that tells us more about the tensions between education and the service sector than it does about competence of new nurses. History can also tell us a great deal about the way nursing is positioned as largely women’s work, and of the historic tensions between the medical and nursing professions. Finally in my talk I approach the question of teaching history and give examples that bring to light the history of practice and the value of knowing this history to contemporary nurses. Through the lecture I argue that historical amnesia is dangerous. Memory is necessary – we need to know who we are if we have any hope of knowing where we are going.