BACKGROUND: The story of one of Australia's most well-known women in history, Vivian Bullwinkel, is a symbol of strength for nursing. She and her companions who were prisoners of war during World War II, refused the position of victim and went on to contribute much to the world after their ordeal.DISCUSSION: These women embody important elements of resilience that it is our duty to convey to generations of nurses so that they may be inspired to rise above adversity, foster connection with like-minded others, use adaptive coping mechanisms and soft power, be gentle yet persistent in their resistance practices, and most of all to do good work throughout their nursing careers. This paper argues that oppression theory provides only a limited understanding of present woes affecting nursing. Resilience theory suggests future actions and is therefore further enlightening. By examining the experiences of Bullwinkel, students can be assisted to see that stress has been a constant theme across nursing history. However ways of rising above adversity can be illuminated by critically and deeply examining aspects of iconic leaders and heroic stories such as can be found in the life of Vivian Bullwinkel. Summary: Students who are offered the chance to examine this symbol of strength in our profession may decide to internalise some of the positive traits and resolve to use the behaviours she and her contemporaries used to help them create for themselves a fulfilling career, pride in their profession and strong sense of purpose.
Adaptation, Psychological Australia