One hundred years of psychiatric nursing is captured in a new book written by a retired Brandon University professor, which will be officially launched via Zoom on Thursday evening.

Beverley Hicks traces the history of the profession from its early days in asylums through to today’s modern, regulated approach. She pays particular attention to Brandon University’s role in the education of psychiatric nurses — in 1986 the first institution in Canada to grant a baccalaureate degree (expanded in 1994 to a four-year version) and in 2011 also the first in Canada to offer a Master’s degree.

Hicks’ book “Politics, Personalities, and Persistence,” draws on documentary records from Manitoba archives as well as the personal recollections and colourful reminiscences of key players. It explores the legal recognition of psychiatric nursing, challenges to its place in the nursing community, and the role of government policies in the development of the profession.

The book has been nominated for the Margaret McWilliams award for Manitoba History.

“What makes this story unique is that the emergence of psychiatric nursing in Manitoba countered the established practice of the general nursing regulatory bodies,” Hicks says. “These bodies tended to view psychiatric nursing as a specialty to be pursued at the graduate level. At times this created tension between the two groups.”

At a special virtual book launch on Thursday evening, Hicks will read from her book, discuss some anecdotes from the past hundred years, and answer questions about the history — and future — of the psychiatric nursing profession.

All are invited to the book launch, which will take place on Zoom: https://brandonu-ca.zoom.us/j/93607756191?pwd=QmdwZ2JhTjVneUM4UldCMkwwenVMdz09

“Politics, Personalities, and Persistence” is available online at politicspersonalitiesandpersistence.com.