Keywords

Canada, caring science, critical feminist, diversity, education, lesbian health, life history, nursing practice, nursing theory, political action, policy research, political socialization, qualitative research, sexual orientation

 

Authors

  1. MacDonnell, Judith A. PhD, RN

Abstract

This article describes findings from a qualitative policy study focused on female nurses' activism in relation to lesbian health. Critical feminist analysis and comparative life history methodology were applied to career histories obtained from 10 diversely situated female nurses across Ontario, Canada. The findings show that nursing activist practices are informed by advocacy experiences that foster inclusive professional and community education plus formal education processes that shape their political socialization. Implications for nursing theory include the development of political knowledges and practices that support caring science, sociopolitical knowing, and primary healthcare nursing practice in a community context.