CONSTRUCTION OF NURSING CULTURE IN THE CONDITIONS OF SOVIET IDEOLOGY: ESTONIAN EXAMPLE

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyse the development of nursing culture in the Estonian
Soviet Socialist Republic. The analysis of scientific literature and empirical material (interviews)
was conducted in 2019 and 2021. During Soviet era nursing was strongly influenced by
ideology. The goal of civil protection was considered important. The nurses’ daily work was
characterised by poor working conditions, hierarchical employment relationship and miserable
career prospects. The last decade of the Soviet period encountered the release of limits initiated
by the ideas of perestroika and glasnost.
Keywords: Estonian SSR, nursing culture, Soviet ideology, propagandistic orientation,
activity patterns of nurses.