A safety net : The use of pseudonyms in oral nursing history

Journal article


McLeod, Margaret and Francis, Karen. (2007). A safety net : The use of pseudonyms in oral nursing history. Contemporary Nurse. 25(43862), pp. 104-113. https://doi.org/10.5172/conu.2007.25.1-2.104
AuthorsMcLeod, Margaret and Francis, Karen
Abstract

This paper explores the use of pseudonyms in a historical study that weaves oral testimony throughout the narrative. The research was undertaken to unveil the experiences of Australian Army nurses in Malaya’s Communist insurgency (1948-1960). Thirty-three women from the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps served in this conflict termed the Malayan Emergency, but only four nurses could be located for this study. After almost fifty years of silence the female nursing voice emerged as the informants spoke at interview of their unique personal and military experiences in Malaya. It is acknowledged that assigning the nurse informants pseudonyms, as opposed to using their names, constitutes a significant deviation from the established traditions of oral history. However, it is argued that the use of pseudonyms provided an opportunity for candid disclosure by the nurses on a range of topics whilst keeping the informants safe from adverse public or military scrutiny.

Keywordspseudonyms; historical study; Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps; Malayan Emergency; oral history
Year2007
JournalContemporary Nurse
Journal citation25 (43862), pp. 104-113
PublishereContent Management Pty Ltd
ISSN1037-6178
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.5172/conu.2007.25.1-2.104
PubMed ID17622994
Scopus EID2-s2.0-34547580165
Page range104-113
Research GroupSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Publisher's version
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All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online17 Dec 2014
Publication process dates
Accepted28 Feb 2007
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https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/87z26/a-safety-net-the-use-of-pseudonyms-in-oral-nursing-history

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