Introduction.- Nurses and Nursing: The Same but Different Past Imperfect: A History of Nursing.- Nurses in the NHS: From Being 'One Step up from Domestics' to Clinical Militancy.- Angels.- Nurses and Nursing: A Common Good?.- Power, Decision Making and Leadership.- The Great Divide: Trade Unions and Nurses.-

'Chris Hart writes with wit, warmth and a panoramic approach to the political history of nurses and nursing' - Tony Gillam, Mental Health Practice '[Nurses and Politics] offers a unique and comprehensive analysis of the issues facing contemporary nursing based on an in-depth consideration of the historical factors that have shaped current trends.' - Susan Holmes, The Journal of The Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 'Excellent...Twenty years after Jane Salvage, former editor of HSJ sister magazine Nursing Times, produced her seminal work, The Politics of Nursing, Hart has produced a worthy successor...Essential reading.' - Jean Faugier, Health Service Journal 'Chris Hart writes with wit, warmth and a panoramic approach' - Tony Gillam, Mental Health Practice 'Well written, informed and fascinating' - Cheryl Scott, Nursing Standard 'A valuable resource for any health care practitioner' - Tom Tait, Learning Disability Practice 'This is an absorbing and stimulating book that can empower nurses, academics and policy makers to question their usual assumptions regarding the relationship between nurses and politics and its effect on nursing practice and policy' - Charalambos Agathangelou, Nursing Ethics 'This is a fascinating historical account of how nursing is where it is today. It also highlights the political influences that impact on clinical practice & nurse education. It is a gem of a book!' - Carol Chapelhow, School of Nursing Studies, University of Northumbria 'Authoritative author, contemporary and insightful' - Dora Howes, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Community Health, Glasgow Caledonian University

Chris Hart writes with wit, warmth and a panoramic approach to the political history of nurses and nursing' - Tony Gillam, Mental Health Practice '[Nurses and Politics] offers a unique and comprehensive analysis of the issues facing contemporary nursing based on an in-depth consideration of the historical factors that have shaped current trends.' - Susan Holmes, The Journal of The Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 'Excellent...Twenty years after Jane Salvage, former editor of HSJ sister magazine Nursing Times, produced her seminal work, The Politics of Nursing, Hart has produced a worthy successor...Essential reading.' - Jean Faugier, Health Service Journal 'Chris Hart writes with wit, warmth and a panoramic approach' - Tony Gillam, Mental Health Practice 'Well written, informed and fascinating' - Cheryl Scott, Nursing Standard 'A valuable resource for any health care practitioner' - Tom Tait, Learning Disability Practice 'This is an absorbing and stimulating book that can empower nurses, academics and policy makers to question their usual assumptions regarding the relationship between nurses and politics and its effect on nursing practice and policy' - Charalambos Agathangelou, Nursing Ethics 'This is a fascinating historical account of how nursing is where it is today. It also highlights the political influences that impact on clinical practice & nurse education. It is a gem of a book!' - Carol Chapelhow, School of Nursing Studies, University of Northumbria 'Authoritative author, contemporary and insightful' - Dora Howes, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Community Health, Glasgow Caledonian University

Written in a lucid, journalistic style Topical: Looks at the processes behind the headlines Controversial: challenges orthodoxy and proposes radical change Essential reading for nurses, students and trade union activistsExtensively researched, referenced and uptodate