[Personal depositions of hospital nurses from the 50's: a help to the understanding of current nursing]. / Tomada de depoimento pessoal de enfermeiras hospitalares da década de 50: subsídios para a compreensão da enfermagem atual.

This study is a part of a more extensive project that proposes to rescue significant aspects related to nursing assistance evolution from the 1950s to the 1990s. Aiming at accomplishing this objective, the authors used the technique of oral declaration with active and retired registered nurses, in the context of a school-hospital at the state of São Paulo. The present study emphasizes the outcomes referring to the 1950s. The results show that the nurse's efforts are evident in the struggle for profession's recognition and prestige; there are intense and deep transformations related to nurse's new roles and their leadership as a member of the nursing staff and a member of the medical team.