The Complexities of Care

Nursing Reconsidered

Suzanne Gordon editor Sioban Nelson editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cornell University Press

Published:15th Sep '06

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The Complexities of Care cover

"Nursing, everyone believes, is the caring profession. Texts on caring line the walls of nursing schools and student shelves. Indeed, the discipline of nursing is often known as the 'caring science.' Because of their caring reputation, nurses top the polls as the most-trustworthy professionals. Yet, in spite of what seems to be an endless outpouring of public support, in almost every country in the world nursing is under threat, in the practice setting and in the academic sector. Indeed, its standing as a regulated profession is constantly challenged. In our view, this paradox is neither accidental nor natural but, in great part, the logical consequence of the fact that nurses and their organizations place such a heavy emphasis on nursing's and nurses' virtues rather than on their knowledge and concrete contributions."—from the Introduction

In a series of provocative essays, The Complexities of Care rejects the assumption that nursing work is primarily emotional and relational. The contributors-international experts on nursing- all argue that caring discourse in nursing is a dangerous oversimplification that has in fact created many dilemmas within the profession and in the health care system. This book offers a long-overdue exploration of care at a pivotal moment in the history of health care. The ideas presented here will foster a critical debate that will assist nurses to better understand the nature and meaning of the nurse-patient relationship, confront challenges to their work and their profession, and deliver the services patients need now and into the future.

This collection of essays... shows that nurses in all settings tend to describe their work as caring, emotional, and compassionate, consciously avoiding mention of the knowledge and skill that are equally essential to the job.... The consequences... include early burnout owing to mistaken expectations and the greater use of unskilled workers, who are seen as equally capable of providing emotional care.... Well written and provocative.

* Library Journ

  • Winner of Winner of the 2006 Golden Lamp Award for Best Medi.

ISBN: 9780801445057

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 22mm

Weight: 907g

224 pages