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Emerging scholarship in nursing
1School of Nursing, University of Ottawa.
Summary
Canadian nursing history is evolving, moving beyond a single narrative to embrace a more diverse and complex understanding of the profession. Current scholarship highlights varied research, sources, and analytical approaches, yet gaps persist in its historiography.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Nursing Studies
- Canadian History
Background:
- Nursing history scholarship has shifted from seeking a singular professional identity to recognizing the profession's complexity and diversity.
- Contemporary research increasingly integrates into mainstream historical narratives and the subfield of women's history.
Observation:
- This special issue showcases a broad spectrum of research interests, methodologies, and geographical regions within Canada.
- There is a notable increase in the diversity of primary sources utilized and the application of sophisticated analytical concepts.
- Scholars are exploring fundamental questions about who qualifies as a nurse, the nature of nursing practice, and its role within healthcare.
Findings:
- The field is characterized by emerging scholarship that reflects a more nuanced and multifaceted view of nursing's past.
- Analysis of nursing practice is advancing through new theoretical frameworks and a wider range of historical inquiry.
- Despite progress, significant omissions and marginalization of nursing history within broader healthcare historiography remain evident.
Implications:
- This evolving historiography provides a richer, more inclusive understanding of Canadian nursing's development.
- Future research can build upon these diverse approaches to further illuminate the complexities of nursing practice and its historical context.
- Addressing the identified gaps is crucial for a comprehensive representation of nursing within the history of Canadian healthcare.