Introduction: Nursing and Migration: Historical and Ethical Perspectives on Europe from the 1950s to the Present

Abstract

Migration has shaped nursing care in Europe for many decades. Focusing on Germany in the second half of the twentieth century, but also drawing on other examples from European history, this introductory article explores the current field of research on post-war nursing migration from a historical perspective, establishes social references, and highlights the key ethical issues. We examine the major political, social, and institutional factors and contexts surrounding migration and the work of caregivers from abroad and show how they were perceived by politicians, healthcare professionals, patients, and various audiences, but also include the own experiences of migrant caregivers. We argue that migration, which has long been overlooked in histories of nursing, should be put center stage, and highlight gaps in current research.