Triumphal narratives in the American Civil War: A new nursing professional identity.

Abstract

To analyse the evolving social role of female nurses in the American Civil War context in terms of gender, class and race and to examine whether their caring efforts correspond to the beginnings of a new nursing professional identity. Historical research. Thirteen American Civil War nurses' triumphal narratives written between 1865-1902 were analysed. The search and work were carried out between 2012-2020. Women's history and thematic analysis provided, respectively, the theoretical and analytical frameworks. The arrival of the war was the catalyst for change. The nurses' autobiographies were written in a hostile environment where class and racial tensions had to be released. This analysis points to nursing care being transformed from its traditional domestic traits to a progressive and intentional professional dimension. American Civil War nurses' autobiographies offer an innovative vision of their lives and their nursing work. Specifically, the autobiographical accounts provide new perspectives on the evolution of the authors' social dimension in terms of class, race and gender as well as the development of a new nursing professional identity in that context. Impact Illuminating overlooked meanings hidden in nurses' autobiographies improves women's visibility and their contribution to the history of nursing.