European Journal for Nursing History and Ethics

Diaries, letters, and other personal artifacts open up new perspectives on the history and ethics of nursing. As ego documents, these sources illuminate the everyday realities of care and the lived experiences of nurses that often remain invisible in institutional or po­licy documents. In parrallel, qualitative methods, such as interviews and reflective diaries, play an important role in nursing ethics research, enabling scientific examination of ethi­cal practice and nurses‘ moral perspectives.

This planned issue invites contributions that explore the micro-level of nursing practice from both historical and ethical perspectives. It seeks to foreground the historical value of individual experiences, whilst critically reflecting on how these perspectives relate to wider social, cultural and professional developments or people‘s health.

At the same time, the issue welcomes contributions that engage with the role of individual theorists, leaders or reformers in nursing history and ethics. We encourage analyses that go beyond the „great pioneer“ narratives and situate individual actors within their social, cultural and professional contexts.

Methodological reflections on working with ego documents or qualitative material in nursing history and/or nursing ethics are particularly encouraged.