Oral History
Learning from history is an under utilised approach to life; we can often spend time recreating wheels and not learning from the achievements and failures of others who went before us. Capturing stories of the lived history of individuals is an opportunity to be amazed, inspired and stimulated by experiences from the past.
Analysis of the interviews has led to six themes emerging. In keeping with the tradition of qualitative analysis, these themes have been titled using words of some of the participants; they refer to responsibility, hierarchy, hygiene, formative experiences, notable patients and the opportunity that nursing offers to move around and see the world.
Audio clips follow under each of those themes sharing the words of some participants in respect of their own experiences. A final category here is that of war as many of the participants shared experiences of nursing during the Second World War. A number of clips are included as the insights are profound and worthy of sharing.
The clips vary in length from a few seconds to several minutes; the length of the clip is indicated on the bar where you click to start it playing. We think they are very interesting and hope you do so as well.
Articles
Please select an article below to view the content.
Oral History: Preserving the Past
A paper on Oral History Methodology by Professor B Gail Thomas.
RNNH Residents Meeting
Preparation for recording of oral histories with residents from RNNH.
Audio Clips: Hierarchy
The hierarchy that existed in the health service was mentioned by a number of participants.
Audio Clips: Hygiene
Many of these nurses trained and practiced before the routine use of antibiotics and therefore the importance of hygiene was discussed frequently.
Audio Clips: Formative Experiences
Many interviewees highlighted how things that happened in their early years had helped them to feel that nursing was their career of choice.
Audio Clips: Notable Patients Who Made an Impact
It was striking how nurses remembered particular patients who had made an impact on them.
Audio Clips: Opportunity to See The World
This theme relates to the fact that nursing is an occupation that enables people to move around, once qualified being able to gain employment either within the UK or overseas.
Audio Clips: War
The stories of nursing during the war may be of interest to listeners.
Audio Clips: Midwifery
Many participants trained as midwives at some point during their careers.