The age of transition : nursing and caring in the nineteenth century

The history of nursing is inextricably linked with caring activities — indeed, much of the early literature on nursing uses these terms interchangeably. Over the past 150 years, this relationship has been both exploited and actively rejected by nurses. For example, the Queensland Nurses' Union's recent campaigns have pivoted around the slogan, 'Nurses Care'. However, during the latter part of the nineteenth century, nurses as a group of emerging professionals sought to distinguish themselves from carers. This paper will examine the relationship between nursing and caring throughout the nineteenth century, as it was during this period that differences between these two concepts became evident. In particular, those groups of people who undertook nursing and/or caring activities in Australia will be explored. The groups identified include convicts, early hospital workers, families, neighbours and charity workers, as well as untrained, trainee and trained nurses. In keeping with this broad overview, both community and hospital locations will be explored.