The History of Chinese Nurses in Canada

Background: The nursing profession in Canada has been historically rooted in exclusive elements of race, gender, and class. After European settlers colonized Canada in the seventeenth century, Indigenous people were displaced, and white hegemony dominated the development of the country. Subsequent waves of immigration increased ethnic diversity but Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) people continued to experience racism. Chinese people have established a vibrant history in Canada since their arrival in 1858. Through working in the Gold Rush, building the Canadian Pacific Railway and paying the head tax, they have experienced great amounts of discrimination and oppression. The nursing profession was historically strictly restricted to white females of the middle class, and individuals from BIPOC communities were barred from entering nursing school, including individuals of Chinese descent. Although literature and history about Black and Indigenous nurses exist today, the history of Chinese nurses in Canada is limited. The main purpose of this project is to examine articles from the first half of the twentieth century that provide evidence of the existence and insight into the experiences of Chinese nurses in Canada. Methods: Historical methodology was utilized in this study; primary and secondary sources were analyzed to examine historical accounts of Chinese nurses in Canada. The primary sources analyzed were predominantly found in archival newspaper databases, including the BC Historical Newspaper Database and colonial newspaper archives, and included The Province and The Vancouver Sun. Results: A list of news articles about Chinese nurses in Canada were compiled from the specified archival newspaper databases, and themes were identified. The themes included the process of admission into nursing schools, the social lives of Chinese Canadian nurses, and the contributions of Chinese Canadian nurses to public health. Conclusion: The early Chinese nurses in Canada went through rejection and racism as they challenged racial barriers and persisted to achieve their ideal careers. The bravery, courage, and perseverance they went through to attain goals and challenge norms of the dominant societal culture contributes to the ethnic diversity in the nursing profession today.Applied Science, Faculty ofNursing, School ofUnreviewedGraduat