Handmaidens
By Barbara Bird

Nurses are expected to be sweet, caring and quietly efficient, even under difficult and stressful circumstances. Some recent studies suggest that many have been conditioned from childhood for roles as selfless caregivers. Growing up in alcoholic, or otherwise dysfunctional families, they learned to ignore their own needs, take care of others and, above all, not make waves.

A nurse for twenty-five years, the producer surveys the roots and present-day realities of nursing, and intertwines this information with the stories of several nurses, including Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio, publisher of Revolution: A Journal of Nurse Empowerment. This powerful video encourages nurses to stand up for themselves, for each other and for their rights as professionals in the workplace. It is an important addition to programs in women's studies and labor-management relations, as well as in nursing.

33 minutes
© 1995
Purchase $199.00 DVD
Order No. QA-167
ISBN (DVD) 1-57295-946-0

Reviews
"Very truthful. Every nurse and student should not only see this video, but should also discuss it." Fran Montenegro, RN, MS, Samaritan School of Nursing

Awards & Conference Screenings
First Place, Silver State Documentary Festival
Bronze Apple, National Educational Media Network
Women in the Director's Chair Film Festival
National Women's Studies Association

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To rent or purchase this film, please visit the Icarus Films website

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