Nurses as Agents of Social Change - Essay Example

Nurses as Agents of Social Change Give of the Give of the or Give the of the or Give thename of the Professor Give the date of submission of the paper NURSES AS AGENTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE INTRODUCTION: Lauer (1977) views social change as as an inclusive concept that refers to alterations in social phenomena at various levels of human life from the individual to the global. Most definitions speak of change in very broad terms. Wilbert Moore, for example, has defined social change as the “significant alteration of social structures,” meaning the “patterns of social action and interaction”. Moore (1967) included in his definition various expressions of structures: norms, values, and cultural phenomena. Another definition for social change is “variations or modifications in any aspect of social process, pattern, or form,” and as “any modification in established patterns of interhuman relationships and standards of conduct” (Lundberg, 1963). DISCUSSION: Theories and Factors of Social Change: In recent decades the dominant concept of structuralfunctionalism gives primary attention and support to social orders characterized by stability and integration. The understanding of social change is based on social stability (Lauer, 1977). . In the authority structure in the society of the late middle ages, a major defect was that: there was a concept of offices with particular authority and obligations, but the offices were given as beneficial offerings to particular persons and their occupancy could not thereafter be revoked. Social change has resulted in structural stability with a complex authority system which is composed of positions to which authority is delegated, rather than in persons. Otherwise, there would occur decomposition into a multi-layered simple authority structure, with each level having full and independent authority, over the level immediately below it (Coleman, 1990). A major social change was an authority structure composed of positions, which had numerous implications. The result is a structure of relations that is independent of persons; who merely supply a necessary resource for the functioning of the system. In modern society the principal form of stable authority structure are the complex authority structures composed of positions rather than persons. When institutionalized structures break down or are in the process of doing so, they are especially likely to give rise to such transient and effervescent social phenomena which impact social change. For instance, revolts and revolutions are marked by instances of collective behavior (Coleman, 1990). A significant source of social change is collective behavior. (Coleman, 1990). Collective behavior constitutes phenomena such as social movements, audience behavior, systems of trust, public opinion, emergent charismatic authority, mob behavior, fads and fashion. Nurses as Agents of Social Change: Nurses can work individually as citizens or collectively through political action to bring about social change. It is the responsibility of a professional nursing association to speak for nurses collectively in shaping and reshaping health care within the nation, specifically in areas of health care policy and legislation that affect accessibility, quality, and the cost of health care. Here, the professional association maintains vigilance and takes action to influence legislators, reimbursement agencies, nursing organizations, and other health professions. In these activities, health is understood as being broader than delivery and reimbursement systems, but extending to health-related sociocultural issues such as violation of human rights, homelessness, hunger, violence, and the stigma of illness (ANA, 2005). Dr. Linda S. Thompson Adams, the Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing at Oakland University, in her speech to a large gathering of student nurses, advocated the cause of the weaker sections and minority groups in society. Discrimination, poverty and hopelessness were their lot, for which agents of social change could do much to improve their living conditions and their life. She expressed her pride in the nurses for doing the work they did, and reiterated that they all deserved credit for it. Dr. Thompson Adams had immense confidence that the group of student nurses were capable of bringing about great changes in society in the future. “You are the people who have the power to be leaders. You have the power to make history” (Thompson Adams, 2006). “From the beginning, nurses have been at the center of our history supporting civil rights and women’s rights and caring for those in need; focusing on the vulnerable and needy in our society”, stated Dr. Thompson Adams (2006). She emphasized the fact that it was not necessary to be born wealthy or have had a “fancy upbringing”. She came from a background of poverty and hopelessness herself. She struggled against all odds to educate herself and to reach a high level in the nursing profession, since this vocation convinced her that she would be able to make the most difference in the lives of many people, healthwise and in their social condition. Dr. Thompson Adams herself is a role model and example, as she has spent the majority of her career promoting policies and programs to improve the quality of life of vulnerable populations, and has been actively involved in helping the downtrodden. History of Nurses as Agents of Social Change: According to Kitson (1996), there was great social turbulence in the latter part of the 19th century, from which professional nursing emerged. This was a period of major scientific advancement and controversy as well as of social reform. It is important to remember that the history of nursing is rarely one of triumph in the face of adversity but of struggle and compromise and often defeat. But many nurses had intense feelings towards their work, and devoted themselves to their profession. Nurses with a life-long commitment to nursing, and their impact on the health or social history of the United States are given the prestigious honor of induction into the Hall of Fame by the Alabama Nurses’ Association. Some of these veteran nurses are: Harriet Patience Dame (1815-1900): A selfless care-giver, the Civil War nurses contribution of work led to a dramatic change in the way the military delivered health care. She repeatedly rose to challenges presented to her no matter how difficult. Her leadership, advocacy, innovation and expert ability to provide holistic care to the sick and wounded stands as a true testament to the nursing profession (Nursing World, 2002). Sadie Heath Cabaniss, R.N. (1863-1921): Cabaniss was a true pioneer nurse. She developed the first training school for nurses in her state, convinced nurse training schools in Virginia to form Alumni Associations, and then in 1901 she formed the Virginia Nurses Association. Cabaniss helped draft a measure that would regulate the practice of nursing in the Commonwealth, and the Bill was enacted in 1903. She was a public health advocate, and founded the Nurses Settlement of Richmond, VA, where nurses provided care to patients in their homes. She also helped develop dispensaries and rural visiting nurse services. Veronica Margaret Driscoll, EdD, R.N. (1926-1994): In a career that spanned nearly forty-five years, Driscoll proved her commitment to the cause of nursing. Due to her leadership, nurses won increased wages, benefits and improved practice environments. She was key to ensuring the enactment of the groundbreaking 1972 New York State Nurse Practice Act. Driscoll later served as the first executive director of the Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association. She was a member of committees and bodies, where she served to promote the nurses’ cause. Mary Lewis Wyche, RN. (1858-1936). Wyche focused her energies on improving professional nursing in her home state of North Carolina, despite the cultural constraints of her time. She stablished three schools, one of which is still known today for the quality of its nursing program. In a time when women could not vote, she mobilized support for the regulation of nursing practice in the North Carolina legislature, resulting in the first practice act in the U.S. in 1903. Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail, R.N. (1903-1981): From 1930 to 1960, the Montana nurse traveled throughout North American reservations to assess the health, social and educational problems Native Americans faced. She provided midwifery services to them for 30 years, and helped move legislation in favour of the native Americans. As the founder of the Native American Nurses Association, she was instrumental in winning tribal and government funding to help Native Americans enter the nursing profession. In 1962, Yellowtail received the Presidents Award for Outstanding Nursing Health Care. Current Issues in Nursing Relating to Nurses as Agents of Social Change: According to Fedoruk and Pincombe (2000), leadership in nursing is crucial for nurses to achieve change management within their work environment as well as in health care for the community and society as a whole. In the present time, health service delivery is changing to form vertically integrated systems embracing primary care, wellness, home health, etc. The changes to health care delivery, results in nurses taking a lead role in redefining health care, and in setting future health care policy directions. Future Trends in Nurses as Agents of Social Change: In times of social stability, the power of collective behavior especially that causing major upheavals is not given attention by social scientists. It is observed that group behavior impacting major social changes is significant both for social theory and for social practice. Thus the concept of collective behavior potentially holds great rewards for theory development and empirical research (Coleman, 1990). This is especially applicable in nursing, where collective efforts towards the same goal can achieve successful results, by means of policy and legislation changes, getting federal aid for introduction of educational and health facilities for the underprivileged, community care for the elderly and destitute, and in fighting for the rights of those in need. CONCLUSION: In this paper, the role of nurses as agents of social change has been highlighted. The theories and factors of social change, the roots of nursing and the development of nurses as agents of social change through the history of nursing is significant. The nursing profession itself lends itself to tending to the needy, and the underpriviliged. Therefore positive social changes which can make the life of the weaker sections of society better, are being implemented. Through history, there are several brave nurses who have fought against great odds to make their contribution towards social change. Future trends should include more collective behavior of nursing staff, whereby high levels of success will be possible in achieving social change as an outcome. ----------------------------------- REFERENCES Alabama State Nurses’ Association. (June – August 2005). “A.N.A. Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements”. Alabama Nurse. Web site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4090/is_200506?pnum=2&opg=n14718750 Coleman, J.S. (1990). Foundations of Social Theory. The United States of America: Harvard University Press. Fedoruk, M & Pincombe, J. (2000). “The Nurse Executive: Challenges for the 21st Century”. Journal of Nursing Management, 2000. Vol.8: pp.13-20. Kitson, A.L. (1996). “Does Nursing Have a Future?” British Medical Journal, 1996. Vol.313: pp.1647-1651. Lauer, R.H (1977). Perspectives on Social Change. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Lund berg, G.A; Schrag, C.C; Larsen, O.N. and Catton Jr, W.R, Sociology, 4th ed., New York: Harper & Row Moore, W.E. (1967). Order and Change; Essays in Comparative Sociology. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Thompson Adams, L., (March, 2006)   Keynotes of Note: Terrance Keenan Nursing Leadership Lecture: “Pathway to Leadership”. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Web site: www.nursingworld.org/ojin/keynotes/speech5.htm Read More

Dr. Linda S. Thompson Adams, the Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing at Oakland University, in her speech to a large gathering of student nurses, advocated the cause of the weaker sections and minority groups in society. Discrimination, poverty and hopelessness were their lot, for which agents of social change could do much to improve their living conditions and their life. She expressed her pride in the nurses for doing the work they did, and reiterated that they all deserved credit for it. Dr. Thompson Adams had immense confidence that the group of student nurses were capable of bringing about great changes in society in the future.

“You are the people who have the power to be leaders. You have the power to make history” (Thompson Adams, 2006). “From the beginning, nurses have been at the center of our history supporting civil rights and women’s rights and caring for those in need; focusing on the vulnerable and needy in our society”, stated Dr. Thompson Adams (2006). She emphasized the fact that it was not necessary to be born wealthy or have had a “fancy upbringing”. She came from a background of poverty and hopelessness herself.

She struggled against all odds to educate herself and to reach a high level in the nursing profession, since this vocation convinced her that she would be able to make the most difference in the lives of many people, healthwise and in their social condition. Dr. Thompson Adams herself is a role model and example, as she has spent the majority of her career promoting policies and programs to improve the quality of life of vulnerable populations, and has been actively involved in helping the downtrodden.

History of Nurses as Agents of Social Change: According to Kitson (1996), there was great social turbulence in the latter part of the 19th century, from which professional nursing emerged. This was a period of major scientific advancement and controversy as well as of social reform. It is important to remember that the history of nursing is rarely one of triumph in the face of adversity but of struggle and compromise and often defeat. But many nurses had intense feelings towards their work, and devoted themselves to their profession.

Nurses with a life-long commitment to nursing, and their impact on the health or social history of the United States are given the prestigious honor of induction into the Hall of Fame by the Alabama Nurses’ Association. Some of these veteran nurses are: Harriet Patience Dame (1815-1900): A selfless care-giver, the Civil War nurses contribution of work led to a dramatic change in the way the military delivered health care. She repeatedly rose to challenges presented to her no matter how difficult.

Her leadership, advocacy, innovation and expert ability to provide holistic care to the sick and wounded stands as a true testament to the nursing profession (Nursing World, 2002). Sadie Heath Cabaniss, R.N. (1863-1921): Cabaniss was a true pioneer nurse. She developed the first training school for nurses in her state, convinced nurse training schools in Virginia to form Alumni Associations, and then in 1901 she formed the Virginia Nurses Association. Cabaniss helped draft a measure that would regulate the practice of nursing in the Commonwealth, and the Bill was enacted in 1903.

She was a public health advocate, and founded the Nurses Settlement of Richmond, VA, where nurses provided care to patients in their homes. She also helped develop dispensaries and rural visiting nurse services. Veronica Margaret Driscoll, EdD, R.N. (1926-1994): In a career that spanned nearly forty-five years, Driscoll proved her commitment to the cause of nursing. Due to her leadership, nurses won increased wages, benefits and improved practice environments. She was key to ensuring the enactment of the groundbreaking 1972 New York State Nurse Practice Act.

Driscoll later served as the first executive director of the Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association.

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