International humanitarian nursing work: facing difference and embracing sameness
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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Graham Zinsli1, Elizabeth A Smythe
1Waitakere Hospital and Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract:
This article explores the experience of humanitarian disaster and emergency nursing, asking the question, "How is difference (and sameness) in being a nurse revealed when working in a disaster/relief context?" The articles discusses interviews with seven nurses, plus the primary researcher, who tell their stories of humanitarian nursing. Stark differences are revealed: extent of injuries, limits of treatment, and overwhelmingness of need. Alongside this is the huge difference of personal danger. Sameness shows itself in the human-to-human call and response to need that holds nurses in such work. Difference and sameness are not fixed; one readily becomes the other.
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