Celebrating Nursing’s History: How Past Informs the Present

Celebrating Nursing’s History: How Past Informs the Present

This lecture discusses the historical challenges involved in describing the development of nursing practice from ancient times to the present day. A history of nursing is chronologically related, by telling the stories of different nurses who represent our discipline. Common nursing themes are identified. The importance of acknowledging our history is discussed. Finally, merit is given to the concept that current nursing practice, nursing discipline and the nursing profession as a whole is enhanced by an understanding of the past.

The main concepts explored in this session are:

• History of nursing
• Nursing stories
• Past informing the present
• Nursing profession
• Nursing discipline

Dr Christine Hallett (PhD, BNurs, BA, RGN, DnCert, HVCert) author of “Celebrating Nursing: A Visual History”. Christine is the Director of the Centre for the History of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Manchester, UK. A qualified nurse and health visitor, she worked as a community nurse before moving into the university sector. She became a full-time lecturer in nursing in 1993, and has worked in nurse education for over 15 years. Christine has PhDs in Nursing and History.

Speaker: Dr Christine Hallett
Date of recording: 24 May 2010
Listening time: 44 Mins
Conference: Celebrating Nursing History and Change
Session in conference: Celebrating nursing’s history: How a knowledge of the past can inform the present
Location of conference: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Professional Reviews:

A very interesting lecture, would like to read more of Dr Hallet's work.

Interesting and informative, inspirational and easy listening.

Opening eye's how through time and to the current nurses play a signifigate roll in every aspect of there work. How through time they have not been afraid to step forward in there work, where there was nothing...and worked with what they had. Always challenging themselves in the individual improvement and how they contributed, just blows you away.Using the training you where installed with and wanting to do more with it. Very inspirational talk.One you could listen to again.

As a junior nurse I was quite inspired by Dr Hallet's lecture. Learning more about those nurses who have worked tirelessly in the past has inspired me to work and study even harder to carry on their legacy. I also drew great comfort knowing that there are so many different specialty areas and opportunities available to members of this profession. A great audio lecture- would recommend it to anyone needing a bit of inspiration!

Easy listening. Well spoken about the history of nursing and how it still relates to today. How an individual can influence the people around her to enhance the work of one's profession. That the basic core principles of nursing are still important in today's work performances.