Peplau, Hildegard E. (1909–1999)

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Peplau, Hildegard E. (1909–1999)

American nurse. Born Hildegard Elizabeth Peplau, Sept 1, 1909, in Reading, PA; died Mar 17, 1999, in Sherman Oaks, CA; dau. of Ottylie and Gustav Peplau (Polish immigrants from Germany); graduated from Pottstown (PA) Hospital School of Nursing (1931); Bennington College, BA in interpersonal psychology, 1943; Columbia University Teachers College, MA in psychiatric nursing, 1947.

Called the "mother of psychiatric nursing" and "nurse of the century" for playing a major role in developing the theory and practice of psychiatric and mental health nursing, was a faculty member of Rutgers University College of Nursing (1954–74); served as American Nurses Association executive director (1969–70) and president (1970–72); was a visiting professor in Europe, Latin America and Africa; wrote Interpersonal Relations in Nursing (1952), introducing the concept of patient-nurse relationships, an interpersonal approach.