by Teddie Potter
Published in the Proceedings of The International Perspectives on the History of Nursing Conference, Royal Holloway University of London, UK, September 2010
RECOVERING LOST THREADS OF THE STORY OF NURSING:
ILLUMINATING PATTERNS OF PARTNERSHIP
Aim of studymore
RECOVERING LOST THREADS OF THE STORY OF NURSING:
ILLUMINATING PATTERNS OF PARTNERSHIP
Aim of study
Social theorist Riane Eisler describes human history as a persistent conflict between two patterns of social organization. Her Cultural Transformation Theory identifies ideological differences between dominator and partnership paradigms. The first objective of this study was to determine if nursing fundamental textbooks in the United States use the story of the history of nursing to support a dominator paradigm. The second objective was to illuminate historic exemplars of partnership in nursing.
Rationale/significance
Nursing fundamental textbooks initiate socialization and profoundly impact the self-identity and practice of future nurses. Therefore the assumptions and ideologies within the texts must be critically evaluated. Assumptions and beliefs are most evident in chapters describing the history of nursing. These sections offer powerful images that initiate development of nursing identity in novices. Recent nursing research has demonstrated patient outcomes improve with implementation of collaborative care. Yet new nurses are exposed to limited models of collaboration. To shift the current health care paradigm, nurses need to be educated in partnership. History provides inspirational stories of nurses who partnered with patients to create new models of care.
Methodology
This study applies a Critical Theory approach to reveal and deconstruct current ideological messages embedded in the history of nursing chapters in nursing fundamental textbooks. The writings of Mary Seacole, Lillian Wald, Sister Elizabeth Kenny, and Mamie Odessa Hale are analyzed for themes that support an alternative paradigm of partnership and collaboration.
Findings
Nursing has a rich history of collaboration and partnership but currently dominator stories are used more frequently to socialize novices. The writings of nurses through history provide inspiring examples of partnership care. Despite dominator pressures, nursing pioneers offered alternative models of care based on respect and empowerment.
Conclusions
The history of nursing in nursing textbooks is essentially a subjective story carefully crafted to impart select values to new nurses. Currently nursing is defined by the needs of health care systems. Loss of identity promotes powerlessness and decreases meaning and career satisfaction for nurses. This contributes to attrition and the critical shortage of nurses. Eisler’s theory offers insights about the historic roots of the dominator paradigm which limits the art of caring today. This research demonstrates collaboration and partnership have been part of the nursing identity through history. Recovery of this lost thread of history may improve patient care outcomes and enrich nursing practice.
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