Negotiating Nursing: British Army Sisters and Soldiers in the Second World War

Negotiating Nursing explores how the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Q.A.s) salvaged their soldier-patients within the sensitive gender negotiations of nursing work and where that work could occur during the Second World War. The book argues that the Q.A.s, an entirely female force, were essential to recovering men from the battlefield and for the war, despite concerns about their presence on the frontline. Despite their recognition of nurses' vital role, their position was gendered, and their skills were not transferred to the new welfare state post-war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2018
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Rewritten text:

Negotiation in Nursing delves into the intricate gender dynamics that shaped the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Q.A.s) during World War II. The book argues that the Q.A.s, an exclusively female force, played a crucial role in rescuing injured soldiers and contributing to the war effort, despite initial reservations about women serving on the front lines. Through personal accounts, the book charts the evolution of nursing as these women carved out a legitimate presence in war zones, establishing themselves as experts at the bedside. While their contributions were acknowledged, their gender remained a defining aspect of their profession.

Following the war, as women in Britain were reintegrated into civilian life, the military nurses' femininity posed a barrier to their transfer of skills to the emerging welfare state. The book explores the challenges faced by these nurses as they sought to transition from the battlefield to the domestic realm, while also examining the broader societal implications of their role during the war.

Negotiation in Nursing offers a valuable insight into the complex interplay between gender, profession, and societal expectations during a period of significant historical change. It sheds light on the contributions of women in the military and their struggle to establish their place in the post-war world, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by women in healthcare and beyond.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 146 x 223 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526119063