Understanding Sociology in Nursing

Helen Allan · Michael Traynor · Daniel Kelly · Pam Smith

Mar 2016 · SAGE

About this ebook

Provides students with insights into key contemporary debates and events to demonstrate the relevance of sociology and its practical application to modern nursing. This textbook helps student nurses make the leap from a narrow focus on the physical problems of their patients to a broader understanding of the whole person and the contexts of care which will help them succeed as compassionate nurses. Written directly for nurses, it focuses on the individuals and families in their care, the organisations they work in, and the factors which affect their practice.

Key features include:

• Case studies and scenarios to help students relate sociology to real-life examples
• Reflection points to help students critically engage with the discussion
• Learning outcomes and chapter summaries for revision
• Definitions of key terms in each chapter

About the author

Helen Allan is a Professor of Nursing at Middlesex University, London, UK. She registered as a nurse in 1979, working for 13 years in acute care. After a BSc Sociology at the London School of Economics, London University, Helen trained as a nurse teacher and taught social sciences and nursing at Bloomsbury College of Nursing & Midwifery and then at the Royal College of Nursing Institute. Helen completed her PhD in Nursing part time at Manchester University in 2000. She worked with Professor Pam Smith at the University of Surrey in the Centre for Research in Nursing and Midwifery Education. Helen has held Chairs at the Universities of Surrey, York and since 2014 at Middlesex University. Helen has worked as a nurse teacher and as a researcher for the last 20 years. She’s particularly interested in how nurses learn in clinical practice and the role of emotions in clinical practice and their effect on learning.

Michael Traynor is Professor of Nursing Policy at Middlesex University.

Daniel Kelly is RCN Professor of Nursing Research at Cardiff University.

Pam Smith is Professorial Fellow of Nursing Studies at the University of Edinburgh.