The place of nursing history in an undergraduate curriculum

It has been stated that the history of nursing is, in itself, a suitable subject for research (Maggs 1996) but that historians of nursing have looked to the broader social sciences for their frame of reference. Over the past decade or more there has been debate as to the purposes of nursing history and its relevance to the education of modern nurses and to practice. There is also discussion as to the contribution nursing history has, or could, make to nursing theory and its development. Nursing history has been part of nursing curricula for many years in some shape or form, with variation in its timing, structure, content and the emphasis and importance placed on it by nurse educators. We have recently reintroduced nursing history to the curriculum in the form of a stand alone course. The aim of this paper is to describe the formal reintroduction of nursing history into the curriculum and its place in a newly developed honours undergraduate programme. A review of the literature will be undertaken which will outline the main areas of importance. The review will be followed by a discussion of the history of nursing course and its inception. Using points identified in the literature, the rationale for content and structure are made and the integration of history with theoretical and practical aspects of nursing is explained. The impact of the supporting sciences, both physical and behavioural, and issues surrounding students efforts to reconcile the art and science of nursing are analysed. The introduction has posed questions which are currently being addressed and changes will be made for the new academic year.This supports the philosophy of the Nursing & Midwifery School that history has relevance to the education of nurses and therefore a significant place in the curriculum.