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Essay On Women During The Civil War

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During the Civil War, nurses showed bravery and dedication to their side on the battlefield. Women in the South took the responsibility of giving medical treatment during the war. The South was caught unprepared, and the hospitals were overwhelmed with wounded soldiers. The only nurses were recuperating soldiers whose injury and illness prevented them from working. Also, many of the men resented nurse work. Before the war, many Southern women had experience nursing for their family, children, and slaves. Nursing was even considered a woman’s job. However, many people thought that women could not handle nursing on the battlefield during war. Eventually, because of the growing number of casualties, women were permitted to serve as nurses for …show more content…

Like the South, the North was also experiencing an increase in casualties. The word “nurse” was rather vague, as their job descriptions varied. (“Nursing During the Civil War: A Movement Towards the Professionalization of Nursing”). The profession was dominated by men. At first women were banned from this work on the battlefield. Since many men were sick and wounded, women were eventually allowed to be nurses (“Civil War Nurses”). Dorthea Dix, a woman who dedicated her life to the service of the mentally ill, formed a group of nurses. She set very high standards that had to be met. Women had to dress plainly, have good health, have good morals, and they could not be too attractive (“Women Nurses in the Civil War”). Many women who desired to be nurses were turned down because they did not meet her high standards. Dix ‘s nurses were paid $0.40 a day. They also received rations, housing, and transportation. However, men were paid $20.50 a month, and they received better benefits (“Civil War Nurses”). African-American nurses were allowed to serve, usually they treated dangerously ill patients, or African-American soldiers. Catholic nuns also served in the war. All nurses that served had to have physical and emotional strength (“Women Nurses in the Civil

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