Ethel Gordon Fenwick: Nursing Reformer and the First Registered Nurse

Ethel Gordon Fenwick was a pioneering nursing reformer who fought for thirty years to establish a register to ensure nurses were qualified, respected professionals. She was a gifted nurse who worked alongside great medical men and became the youngest matron of St Bartholomew's Hospital London. She was a suffragist and journalist who traveled to America to meet like-minded nursing colleagues and was instrumental in creating the International Council of Nurses and the Royal British Nurses Association. Her long campaign for registration led to nurses being ready to take their place alongside other professionals when the National Health Service began in 1948.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Ethel Gordon Fenwick, a remarkable nursing reformer, emerged in an era preceding the advent of the motor car and tragically passed away at the dawn of the jet age. At the outset of her career, nursing was a vocation, unregulated and plagued by a myriad of standards and inefficiencies. Ethel, a gifted nurse, had the privilege of working alongside renowned medical luminaries of her time, and at the tender age of 24, she assumed the position of the youngest matron at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, where she initiated numerous improvements. During that era, the title of "nurse" was bestowed upon anyone, regardless of their aptitude. Ethel grasped the critical importance of establishing a standardized training framework, accompanied by proof of qualification provided by a professional register, to ensure the safety of patients and nurses alike. Her unwavering determination and spirited nature led her to wage a nearly thirty-year battle to establish a register that would elevate nurses to the status of qualified, respected professionals.

In addition to her nursing endeavors, Ethel was a passionate suffragist and journalist, journeying to America where she forged connections with like-minded nursing colleagues. Her contributions extended to the formation of the International Council of Nurses and the Royal British Nurses Association. Notably, she played a pivotal role in organizing nurses and supplies during the Graeco-Turkish War, earning her several medals for her valiant efforts. Ethel's unwavering dedication to registration ultimately paid dividends, as a year after her passing, nurses were prepared to embrace their rightful place alongside other professionals as the National Health Service (NHS) commenced in 1948.

Ethel Gordon Fenwick's legacy endures as a testament to her unwavering commitment to nursing reform and her unwavering determination to elevate the profession to new heights of excellence and professionalism. Her tireless efforts paved the way for a brighter future for nurses, ensuring that they were recognized and valued as essential members of the healthcare team.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 164 x 251 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399099585