CAHN/ACHN International Nursing History Conference
April 23, 2008
The annual conference of the Canadian Association for the History of Nursing, hosted by the Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, took place June 5-7. A generous grant from Associated Medical Services enabled CAHN to bring 14 internationally known scholars to the conference. Registrants could also chose from a wide array of concurrent sessions featuring speakers from several continents. Co-sponsors of the conference included the Allemang Centre, Humber College and the AMS Nursing History Research Unit in Ottawa. The major part of the conference took place at the University of Toronto Health Sciences Building 155 College Street with the opening event at the Delta Chelsea Hotel and a banquet at historic Osgoode Hall.
Review of the Conference by Lynn Kirkwood
The CAHN/ACHN International Nursing History Conference was a great success. From the time of early registration to the closing session about how to get published participants were engaged and enthusiastic. Every paper elicited comments, questions and discussion – much of which continued after the sessions ended.
The first Hannah Lecturer, Catherine Ceniza Choy confronted the issue of migration of nurses from developing countries to the United States. Her question was, What would be the effect of studying nurses’ migration within the broader context of migration research? Marilyn Beaton and Jeanette Walsh also looked at migration and recruitment. The underlying question of both papers becomes a moral question of ‘brain drain.’
Religion and politics and the shifting ground between the old religious culture, for example, of 19th century France and the rise of secular (scientific) professional nursing of the 20th century was the topic of several papers such as our second Hannah speaker, Katrin Schultheiss. Judith Godden explored the effects of these shifts on individual leaders.
There were papers that surprised. For example, was I the only one who did not know that Effie Taylor was the one who conceptualized ‘total patient care’ which set the foundation of modern nursing care? Also, imagine someone who would dare challenge evidence based practice.
The annual banquet at historic Osgoode Hall – with a reception in the newly refurbished Barristers’ Lounge – lent our conference a tone of grace and dignity it truly deserved. Alice Baumgart brought greetings from CNA. She outlined some of the highlights of CNA’s first hundred years and proposed plans for the coming years. Thank-you Carol and Judy and the rest of the planning committee for a job well done.
History of Nursing Writing Prize for 2010
April 23, 2008
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students, from any faculty, at Canadian universities and community colleges.
Value: $500
Deadline: June 30, 2010 for this year’s prize
Criteria for submission
The paper may deal with any topic in the history of nursing in any period and in any country.
Papers should be a minimum of 8 pages and maximum of 25 pages in length.
Papers may be submitted by email or in hard copy. Electronic copies should be in Microsoft Word and include academic affiliation, address, and telephone number. Those submitting hard copy should send 3 copies one copy only with name, academic affiliation, address, telephone number and email.
Send papers to:
Lynn Kirkwood
570 McCann Road
Portland, ON
K0G 1V0
Email: kirkwood@rideau.net