Health Nursing or Health Visiting: An American Debate over Public Health Care in Europe, 1918–25

In the midst of the progressive era American nursing and medical education witnessed tremendous reform. The rapid increase in hospital training programs for nurses as well as changing practices in the community led to a campaign by a number of nurse leaders to reform nursing education. Although steps were initiated towards this goal prior to the outbreak of World War I, the period following the War, and the 1918 pandemic spread of influenza, provided fertile ground for re-opening discussions regarding nursing education both nationally and internationally.

During the post-war period several competing American interests looked to stake a claim in nursing education in Europe. Contrary to earlier theses suggesting the spread of an “American” gospel of ideas and beliefs regarding public health education during the post-World War I period, this paper argues that there were several different American ideas and beliefs circulated in Europe at this time. In particular, the involvement of the Rockefeller Foundation in the training of nurses both in the USA and Europe under the varying standards and ideals of two American nurses- the formidable Annie Goodrich in the USA, and Elisabeth Crowell in Europe, set the stage for an intense debate on nursing education.

By 1925, the success of one set of these ideas depended on the alignment of congruent ideals in the training of health care professionals with influential organizations. Furthermore, Goodrich and Crowell’s influence within the RF not only positioned American nursing as a global power, but also created a space for the global influence of the USA.