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Nursing in Nazi Germany
1Department of Nursing, Ministry of Youth, Family, and Health in Hessen, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Western Journal of Nursing Research
|December 1, 1992
Summary
During the Nazi era, German nursing underwent significant external and internal changes. Many nurses embraced National Socialism, believing their obedience served ethical principles, highlighting the need for contemporary nurses to remain politically aware and ethically vigilant.
Area of Science:
- History of Medicine
- Nursing Ethics
- Social History
Background:
- The Nazi period brought profound societal shifts impacting professional identities.
- German nursing experienced changes in social status, organization, and legal frameworks.
Observation:
- External changes included improved social status and professional unification.
- Internal changes suggest some nurses accepted Nazi ideology, reinterpreting ethics through obedience.
- Nurses believed their apolitical stance preserved professional integrity.
Findings:
- The profession was integrated into the political system due to a perceived value-free consciousness.
- Nurses' obedience was framed as adherence to ethical principles.
- Historical analysis reveals a critical disconnect between professional ideals and sociopolitical realities.
Implications:
- Nursing is inherently a social and political force, not a neutral practice.
- Contemporary nurses must actively engage in sociopolitical developments and ethical reflection.
- Confronting historical "dark hours" fosters sensitivity to injustice and prevents future ethical compromises.