LibGuides: Who cares? A history of emotions in nursing: Faith

Resources on faith

Who cares? A History of Emotions in Nursing
On display at the RCN Library and Heritage Centre from 22 January 2020.

Did you know emotions have a history? Find out about the emotions associated with nursing, from ideas of religious love and faith, motherhood and femininity, to the role of military discipline, anger and activism.

Nursing has been closely linked to religious orders since the Middle Ages. These still trained nurses into the twentieth century. Icons like Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell emphasised the religious drive of their calling, looking to the bible and prayer books for advice and emotional support. Faith can have a range of meanings in health, from religion to belief in science or the NHS.

Below is a list of resources that accompanies the theme of faith and nursing.

Spirituality in Nursing by Barnum, B.S
Publication Date: 2003
This award-winning book looks at spirituality and nursing from many perspectives: theoretical, historical, religious, psychological, physiological.
Spirituality in Nursing by O'Brien, M.E
Publication Date: 2017
The text focuses on relevant topics in contemporary nursing such as the spiritual history of nursing, assessment of patient's spiritual needs, the nurse's role in spiritual care as well as the the nurse patient relationship and spiritual needs.
Motherhood Spirituality and Culture by Molina, N.
Publication Date: 2019
This book will appeal to all women who have transitioned to motherhood. It will also be of assistance to professionals who wish to approach any aspect of maternity care and support from a transpersonal perspective. It will also provideunique insights for academics and postgraduate students in the fields of anthropology, psychology, psychotherapy and feminism studies.
Spirituality in Nursing by Barnum, B.S
Publication Date: 2010
The chapters offer engaging discussions of important topics such as the distinction between spirituality and religion, spirituality and research, humanism, and death and dying. Taking a problem-solving approach, this book serves as an invaluable guide to understanding the complex and expanding role of spirituality in nursing.