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Why Nurses Should Study Sociology

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Why Nurses Should Study Sociology
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Why Should Nurses Study Sociology?
Barbara Green and Sarah Earle
Key issues in this chapter

• • • • • • • •

The difference between sociology in nursing and sociology of nursing The value of developing sociological skills Using sociological skills in nursing practice Sociological knowledge: policy, practice and change

By the end of this chapter you should be able to . . . discuss the reasons why nurses should study sociology; understand the distinction between sociology of nursing and sociology in nursing; understand the value of sociological skills; discuss the role of sociological knowledge and the future of nursing practice.

1 Introduction
As your experience in clinical practice develops you will come across patients with a wide range of concerns and from a diversity of social backgrounds. The main aim of this chapter is to demonstrate the practical relevance of sociology to nursing, and to explore how sociology may provide you with exciting new ways with which to understand the needs of your patients. The next section discusses conceptual differences between sociology in nursing and sociology of nursing. Section 3 focuses on the cognitive skills that an appreciation of sociology may encourage, enabling you positively to shape and influence practice. Section 4 draws on empirical studies to demonstrate

cognitive relating to thinking processes

W H Y S H OU L D N U R S ES STU DY S O C I O LO G Y ?

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the role of sociology in exploring social issues in health and the social worlds of patients, nurses and other health care workers. The final section addresses the role of sociological knowledge in policy, practice and the future of nursing.

2 Sociology in nursing and sociology of nursing
There are two main types of sociological knowledge relevant to nurses: one is identified as sociology in nursing and the other as the sociology of nursing. Each type of knowledge has the scope to enable the ‘ordinary’ day-to-day work of nurses to be seen in a different
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