J Korean Acad Nurs Adm.  2014 Sep;20(4):455-467. 10.11111/jkana.2014.20.4.455.

Women Nurses' Independence Movement during the Japanese Occupation: A Historical Research Study

• Jin LH
• Kim M

• KMID: 2321261
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11111/jkana.2014.20.4.455

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of Korean women nurses in the independence movement and to examine their activities during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945.
METHODS
Nurses studied were women nurses referred to as Ganhowon, Ganhobu, Gyeonseupganhobu, Sanpa, and Josanbu at that time. Five participants such as descendents or relatives of nurses who participated in independence movements, were selected for interview to provide oral historical materials. An historical research approach was used and all of the data were analyzed according to period, region, and pattern of the independence movement.
RESULTS
Throughout the historical literature and oral historical materials, it was found that from 1914 to 1945, thirty-eight women nurses actively participated in various types of independence activities such as mass hurrah demonstrations, raise the spirit of war, red cross activities, enlightenment movement and armed struggle to encourage the public to stand up against Japanese imperialism locally and abroad.
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate that women nurses, as enlightened women, endeavored to solve social issues with their autonomous volition, and these action can serve as meaningful evidence for enhancing the social status of nurses.

Keyword

Nurses; History of nursing; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Arm
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
Female
History of Nursing
Humans
Occupations*
Qualitative Research
Red Cross
Volition

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