The Invisible Work of Nurses

Hospitals, Organisation and Healthcare

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Nursing, Management & Leadership, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book The Invisible Work of Nurses by Davina Allen, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Davina Allen ISBN: 9781317934783
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 27, 2014
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Davina Allen
ISBN: 9781317934783
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 27, 2014
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Nursing is typically understood, and understands itself, as a care-giving occupation. It is through its relationships with patients – whether these are absent, present, good, bad or indifferent – that modern day nursing is defined. Yet nursing work extends far beyond direct patient care activities. Across the spectrum of locales in which they are employed, nurses, in numerous ways, support and sustain the delivery and organisation of health services. In recent history, however, this wider work has generally been regarded as at best an adjunct to the core nursing function, and at worse responsible for taking nurses away from their ‘real work’ with patients. Beyond its identity as the ‘other’ to care-giving, little is known about this element of nursing practice.

Drawing on extensive observational research of the everyday work in a UK hospital, and insights from practice-based approaches and actor network theory, the aim of this book is to lay the empirical and theoretical foundations for a reappraisal of the nursing contribution to society by shining a light on this invisible aspect of nurses’ work. Nurses, it is argued, can be understood as focal actors in health systems and through myriad processes of ‘translational mobilisation’ sustain the networks through which care is organised. Not only is this work an essential driver of action, it also operates as a powerful countervailing force to the centrifugal tendencies inherent in healthcare organisations which, for all their gloss of order and rationality, are in reality very loose arrangements.

The Invisible Work of Nurses will be interest to academics and students across a number of fields, including nursing, medical sociology, organisational studies, health management, science and technology studies, and improvement science.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Nursing is typically understood, and understands itself, as a care-giving occupation. It is through its relationships with patients – whether these are absent, present, good, bad or indifferent – that modern day nursing is defined. Yet nursing work extends far beyond direct patient care activities. Across the spectrum of locales in which they are employed, nurses, in numerous ways, support and sustain the delivery and organisation of health services. In recent history, however, this wider work has generally been regarded as at best an adjunct to the core nursing function, and at worse responsible for taking nurses away from their ‘real work’ with patients. Beyond its identity as the ‘other’ to care-giving, little is known about this element of nursing practice.

Drawing on extensive observational research of the everyday work in a UK hospital, and insights from practice-based approaches and actor network theory, the aim of this book is to lay the empirical and theoretical foundations for a reappraisal of the nursing contribution to society by shining a light on this invisible aspect of nurses’ work. Nurses, it is argued, can be understood as focal actors in health systems and through myriad processes of ‘translational mobilisation’ sustain the networks through which care is organised. Not only is this work an essential driver of action, it also operates as a powerful countervailing force to the centrifugal tendencies inherent in healthcare organisations which, for all their gloss of order and rationality, are in reality very loose arrangements.

The Invisible Work of Nurses will be interest to academics and students across a number of fields, including nursing, medical sociology, organisational studies, health management, science and technology studies, and improvement science.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Foreign Direct Investment by Davina Allen
Cover of the book New Directions in Sport History by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Basic Concepts In Fa by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Changing European Academics by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Dynastic Marriages 1612/1615 by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Security, the Environment and Emancipation by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Everyday Law for Gays and Lesbians by Davina Allen
Cover of the book The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Applied Linguistics by Davina Allen
Cover of the book The Ethics of Altruism by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Cold War in the High Himalayas by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Localization by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Islamic Culture in Crisis by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Time for Dying by Davina Allen
Cover of the book The Chronicle of the Discovery and Conquest of Guinea. Written by Gomes Eannes de Azurara by Davina Allen
Cover of the book Music In Video Games by Davina Allen
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy