CONFLICTING INTERESTS: PROFESSIONALIZATION AND APPRENTICESHIP IN NURSING EDUCATION. A CASE STUDY OF THE PETER BENT BRIGHAM HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF NURSING DURING THE CARRIE M. HALL YEARS, 1912--1937 (MASSACHUSETTS).
Contributors: Boston University.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 227
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: When the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing opened in November 1912, it was an auspicious moment in the history of nursing education. Hailed as a model of the professionalization reform movement, this new school embodied the ideals and professionalizing strategies being promoted by nursing leaders. While it reflected the strengths of this movement with respect to the educational program and qualifications of the student body, the Brigham also illuminated the limitations of professional reform for nursing. This study examines the conflicts between the professionalization reform movement and the apprenticeship model of education as it was played out in this exemplary school.

Carrie Hall, a nursing leader, was initially successful in her efforts to reform nursing education at the Brigham. Because of its status as a service department of the hospital, however, the school was soon struggling with the same problems as other schools. Nursing's position within the hospital hierarchy was one of subordination to the hospital superintendent and physicians. While Carrie Hall had a degree of authority in the internal management of the school, she was ultimately responsible to those over her. She controlled no money, yet was responsible for controlling costs in her department. She disciplined those under her, but only partially controlled their work assignments, and thus the educational value of their experiences. She made decisions about the educational program, but could not purchase needed supplies and equipment, or hire necessary teaching staff.

Although students at the Brigham received a theoretical education of the best type for the era, they were hospital workers. Educational reform had little impact on nursing work in the hospital, which was tedious and much of it drudgery. It was characterized by orderliness, attention to detail, and efficiency. Unquestioning obedience to the hospital hierarchy and rules was expected.

With its emphasis on education and recruitment, professionalization reform conflicted with the apprenticeship model of education, which emphasized service and efficiency. For the hospital, which controlled the school, cheap labor was a high priority.

Sources for this study included annual reports of the hospital and school, student records, national nursing studies, nursing journals, and convention proceedings.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-07, Section: B, page: 1938.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1987.

School code: 0017.