The proving grounds: combat nursing in Vietnam

Area of Science:

• Military history
• Nursing studies
• Oral history methodology

Background:

• War significantly impacts the nursing profession, often highlighting nurses' heroic contributions.
• Previous historical research has explored nursing during wartime, particularly in Vietnam.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the experiences of nurses during combat in the Vietnam War.
• To identify themes within nurses' narratives that either support, challenge, or add to existing historical accounts.
• To understand how war influences the professional identity of nurses.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative content analysis was performed on 18 published oral histories of military nurses who served in Vietnam.
• Recurrent themes were identified through the analysis of these personal accounts.
• Thick quotes were used to contextualize and validate the identified thematic claims.

Main Results:

• The analysis identified themes consistent with prior historical research on nursing in Vietnam.
• Nurses' oral histories revealed shared experiences of hardship and heroism during combat.
• The findings suggest that challenging wartime conditions are pivotal in shaping nurses' professional identities.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms previous historical analyses of nursing during the Vietnam War.
• Wartime experiences, characterized by hardship and heroic opportunities, are crucial for forging an authentic professional nursing identity.
• Oral histories provide valuable insights into the lived experiences and professional development of military nurses.