The rich history of British nursing comes to life in this lighthearted volume exploring the traditions and experiences of nurses across the 20th century. Nursing in the United Kingdom has been steeped in tradition since the Nurses Registration Act of 1919. Many of the customs and methods practiced today have been passed down through the generations. Rituals & Myths of Nursing collects amusing and poignant reminiscences of nursing through the 20th century to paint a picture of this unique profession from the first registration of SRN No 1, Ethel Gordon Fenwick, to the present day. Written with humor and a light touch, each chapter explores a theme with stories told by nurses from different eras. We have tales of alcohol prescribed to dilate blood vessels or simply for the feel-good factor. Enemas were less fun for everyone concerned, but highly common as they were given for almost all bowel conditions.

This text aims to analyze the reasons for failures on the part of the nursing profession to reach the standards expected by society in the latter years of the 20th century. It describes the rituals and myths that still abound in hospital wards that hamper progress in nursing care.

Awarded first place in the 2013 AJN Book of the Year Awards in the History and Public Policy category "[This book] leaves experienced nurses with a renewed sense of purpose and urgency Ö For new nurses, the book serves as a reminder that although the work of nursing embodies many forms of technology to assist in the delivery of patient care, it remains vitally important not to forget the importance of the art of nursing, the laying of hands." Score: 86, 3 StarsóDoodyís Medical Reviews "A very interesting read, this book reaffirms why and how nurses provide care and incorporate ethical values and respect for human dignity into professional practice. A useful supplemental resource for nursing curricula."--Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries During this tumultuous period in health care, it can be helpful for both students and practicing nurses to not only look forward to change but to look back at customs that have served nurses well over the years. This text examines a variety of nursing rituals in the context of caring science and evidence-based practice and demonstrates how understanding and incorporation of such rituals can have a transformative effect on contemporary nursing practice. It is written for undergraduate and graduate students, and serves to integrate the liberal arts into nursing education as per AACNís New Essentials of Baccalaureate Education. The text explores the history of nursing rituals and the symbols, meanings, and overall usefulness nursing rituals can convey to the profession today. These rituals--marking the sacred and profane of nursing--serve functions both practical and social and offer a window into the art of nursing that runs beneath the surface. Not only does the book examine rituals that take place in nurse-to-patient direct care situations, in nurse-to-nurse relationships, and those that mark the transitions into the professional nursing role, it also incorporates evidence-based research and an emphasis on caring theory. The book demonstrates how understanding and effective incorporation of these rituals in oneís learning and practice can enhance nursing care. Rituals addressed include those used for bathing patients, pre and postmortem care, ritualistic prevention of medication-related errors, rituals of socialization, and nursing ceremonies. Key Features: Presents a history of nursing rituals and their significance past and present Incorporates evidence-based research and an emphasis on caring theory Demonstrates how understanding and incorporation of nursing rituals can greatly enhance nursing care today Includes rituals for bathing patients, pre and postmortem care, prevention of medication errors, rituals of socialization, and nursing ceremonies Features poems and photographs

This Very Short Introduction explores different approaches to myth from several disciplines, including science, religion, philosophy, literature, and psychology. In this new edition, Robert Segal considers both the future study of myth as well as the impact of areas such as cognitive science and the latest approaches to narrative theory.

How did Greek literature and culture interact? John Gould was one of the greatest writers on Greek civilisation of his generation. The most significant of his many essays, including several previously unpublished, are revised and gathered here.

Ritual is part of what it means to be human. Like sports, music, and drama, ritual defines and enriches culture, putting those who practice it in touch with sources of value and meaning larger than themselves. Ritual is unavoidable, yet it holds a place in modern life that is decidedly ambiguous. What is ritual? What does it do? Is it useful? What are the various kinds of ritual? Is ritual tradition bound and conservative or innovative and transformational? Alongside description of a number of specific rites, this Very Short Introduction explores ritual from both theoretical and historical perspectives. Barry Stephenson focuses on the places where ritual touches everyday life: in politics and power; moments of transformation in the life cycle; as performance and embodiment. He also discusses the boundaries of ritual, and how and why certain behaviors have been studied as ritual while others have not. Stephenson shows how ritual is an important vehicle for group and identity formation; how it generates and transmits beliefs and values; how it can be used to exploit and oppress; and how it has served as a touchstone for thinking about cultural origins and historical change. Encompassing the breadth and depth of modern ritual studies, Barry Stephenson's Very Short Introduction also develops a narrative of ritual's place in social and cultural life. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Now in its Third Edition, this text has been updated to reflect new knowledge in the physiology of breastfeeding, milk supply, positioning, the management of breastfeeding, and the role of the lactation consultant. The text is divided into 5 sections that cover the sociocultural context of infant feeding; anatomy and biological imperatives; the prenatal; perinatal and postnatal periods; beyond postpartum; and contemporary issues.