First world war: 'The first big test of professional nursing'

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Nursing History
• World War I Studies

Background:

• Helen Fairchild, a nurse from Pennsylvania, volunteered for service during World War I.
• Her decision to serve in Europe was met with mixed emotions, including personal willingness and concern for her mother's distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the personal experiences and perspectives of nurses during World War I.
• To provide insight into the emotional impact of wartime service on individuals and their families.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of personal correspondence and diaries of Helen Fairchild.
• Historical contextualization of nursing roles and experiences during World War I.

Main Results:

• Fairchild's letters reveal a young woman's commitment to her nursing duties amidst the backdrop of global conflict.
• Her writings underscore the emotional toll of war, particularly the anxieties of family members left behind.

Conclusions:

• The personal accounts of nurses like Helen Fairchild offer valuable qualitative data on the human experience of World War I.
• Understanding these individual narratives enriches our comprehension of the broader historical and social impacts of the war.