Learning Objective #1: State a better understanding of the oppressive and emancipatory experiences of pre- and post-feminist era female graduates of Canadian generic BScN programs

Learning Objective #2: Reflect on their experiences as a nursing student, raise their awareness of feminism's impact on BScN nursing education, and discuss ways to improve it

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The oppression of women within education remains an issue at universities decades after the feminist movement of the 1970's. Nursing schools, within which most students are female, have made modest progress moving away from traditional, male-based, medical-model curriculums. Feminist theory, which focuses on the oppression of women, has been the basis for few studies in the area of nursing education. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of the feminist movement of the 1970's on baccalaureate nursing education in Canada. Study participants were ten females, four who graduated from nursing between the years 1965-1971 and six who graduated between the years 1995-2001. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, oppressive and emancipatory experiences were explored and thematically analyzed. Consistent with the feminist perspective, interviews were carried out in a manner that allowed both the participant and interviewer to share opinions and experiences. Narrative data were thematically analyzed and recommendations for nursing education and research are presented.

Key Words: oppression; social feminist theory; nursing education; feminist movement