Louisa Mary Alcott wrote her book, "Hospital Sketches," based on her experiences as a volunteer nurse at Union Hospital in Georgetown during the American Civil War. Her account is considered a primary source revealing the nursing culture of that period. Nursing had a different definition by historical American culture than today's nursing idea and principles. Women from different social backgrounds were recruited into the nursing staff to care for and heal soldiers at war. Most of these nurses lacked adequate medical experience and skills and were quite unprepared for the unmanageable working conditions. Alcott experienced crowded, poorly ventilated, and rationed food while working as one of the nurses of her time. Alcott's documentation is considered a primary source because it is his account of the event. Primary sources recall information that has been remembered, but these sources must contain information consistent with the appropriate time. Journal validation can be reviewed with the book “A History of American Nursing” by Deborah Judd and Kathleen Sitzman for consistency. Secondary sources provide an outside perspective on events that allows researchers to verify their accuracy. During the time of the American Civil War, recruiting nurses was in high demand. “Wartime activities provided the opportunity for nurses to be intimately involved in the health and humanitarian care of soldiers, civilians, and/or the enemy” (Judd, 3). Most women felt it was their national responsibility to do what was right for their country. Village. Like most women of her time, Alcott wanted to participate and contribute to the war effort. Qualified as a nurse with… half the paperwork… she was completely grateful for her service. "Hidden under the pillow, he pulled out a little bundle of what he called a 'truck' and gallantly presented me with a pair of earrings, each representing a portly bunch of grapes and the brooch a striking bowl of fruit, all large and coppery enough for a small warming pan” (Alcott, 27) During the American Civil War, nursing had different expectations and views than today The source of that information describes what appears to be the time period at first glance. Alcott did not treat wounded men according to the side they fought for; she wanted to help anyone who needed it. Her elaborate documentation of her time as a nurse during the American Civil War has brought new insights into the culture and attitudes towards the medical profession as a nurse Today's nurses come from a history of change and