Nurses Writing about Psychiatric Nurses' Involvement in Killings during the Nazi Era: A Preliminary Discourse...

Area of Science:

• Nursing History
• Medical Ethics
• Social History

Background:

• Nazi ideology utilized the pseudo-science of eugenics to justify racist policies.
• Legislation sanctioned the selection and killing of individuals, particularly in mental health settings.

Observation:

• Nurses were involved in the systematic killing of 100,000–300,000 patients between 1939 and 1945.
• The killings, erroneously called 'euthanasia,' occurred in phases, including programs for children and adults, and 'wild euthanasia.'
• Unofficial killings predated the official programs, indicating broader complicity.

Findings:

• This paper employs discourse analysis to examine published texts on nurses' roles in Nazi Germany.
• The study identifies the characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, emphases, and omissions within the existing body of literature.
• Key areas requiring further scholarly exploration are highlighted.

Implications:

• Understanding and representing nurses' participation in Nazi atrocities presents a significant challenge for contemporary nursing historiography.
• This research prompts critical reflection on the ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals and the historical memory of medical complicity.
• Further investigation is needed to fully comprehend the complexities of nurses' involvement and its representation in historical discourse.