Role Transition

Transition
Name
Course
College
Tutor
July 18, 2014
Transition
Professional socialization in nursing is the process which entails acquisition of personal identity by learning norms, values and social skills characteristic to the nursing profession (Hoelscher & Dunbar, 2008). Defining professional socialization is not easy because the process is complex entailing formation of a distinct identity and commitment to the nursing profession. Through this process, students who have undertaken nursing courses form a professional identity so that they are elevated to view themselves as members of the profession with responsibilities which attend membership. The process is basically a social process. During the transition from student status to nursing professions, students are professionalized and initiated the culture of the organization they are working for (Claywell, 2009). Gradually, they get to adopt the symbols inherently entrenched in the nursing profession. Symbols such as tools, language and clothing establish the nurses as distinct individuals separating them from the outsiders.
The major reasons why nurses have to go through the professional socialization process are:
To improve their knowledge and internalize the culture inherently found in the nursing profession.
To learn and comprehend the technology related to medical profession.
To forge a professional identity by blending with their roles and become part of a team working with fellow professionals.
To incorporate their professional role into all the life roles.
To internalize the values and norms related to the medical profession.
To get prepared with the process of sustained learning through out the nursing career.
The Process of Professional Socialization
Professional socialization in nursing is the process of role development whereby students from colleges are exposed to new ideas about nursing, illness, wellness and how to care for the clients (Holster & Dunbar, 2008). This concept is based upon the role theory originating from sociology field. Role theory assert on the significance of proper preparation process which enables a student to be fully prepared with the right information and exposure enabling him to perform fittingly in his filed of specialization (Klossner, 2008). In this case, the nursing role can be defined as the expectations that come with a position in society. There are two major processes through which an individual can learn and embrace his role in the professional field. Foremost, continued interactions with the other professions, groups and significant others is pivotal in helping an individual bolster his skills and improve his performance output. Secondly, an individual learns his roles through observation, modeling, role-playing and trial and error (Claywell, 2009). That is why it is imperative for a nursing student to go through transitioning process so that he can be in contact with the other professions, observe them at work, ask questions and learn through hands on experience.
Above all, there are two main types of sociologic conditions, structural and cultural, which are inherently ingrained in the socialization process. In structural conditions, the nurses’ roles are determined by the established rules such as the hospital policies orders from the doctors and job descriptions, these parameters determine how an individual is supposed to work and relate with the other medical professions. Cultural conditions are systematic ideas that are widespread in society through words, symbols and ceremonies (Hoelscher & Dunbar, 2008). Notably, the nursing professional socialization is a lifelong process commencing with the school curriculum and the faculty of the nursing program is later extended into the working environment where the student has to put into practice the theory learned in school. Through the socialization process, nurses are able to develop professional values that continue along a continuum throughout the years of nursing practice
Claywell’s Stages of Professional Socialization
The process of nursing socialization according to claywell occurs in four main stages (2009). It is possible for nursing professionals to progress through the four transitional stages or remain at one given stage in the nursing career. Markedly, not all the nurses go through the four developmental stages entailed in the process of nursing socialization (Hoelscher & Dunbar, 2008).
The four stages are expounded below.
Stage 1 Unilateral Dependence:
This stage is also known as dualism because the nurse is a “newbie” and is not well versed with the working procedures. Though he is curious to help, he has to consult the other professionals before doing anything significant. At this stage, the nurse relies on external authority and due to the level of their minimal knowledge they are not likely to question or analyze decisively the concepts teachers present because they lack the indispensable background to do so. During the phase of unilateral dependence, the nurse’s capacity to perform is limited and he is therefore unable to deal with multiple points of view (Claywell, 2009). When taken into an acute care setting the nurse must work collaboratively with the primary care team, the attending physician, consultants, and a selection of other hospital personnel.
Stage II Negatively-Independence:
In this stage, the nurse usually has surmountable information, skills and exposure. As such, he tends to become rebellious and does not rely so much on the external authority. Owing to the work exposure, the nurse can confidently make decisions and take responsibility for any arising mistakes. Since the nurses tend to have “I’ll do it myself” attitude their supervisors have no choice but to give them room to grow so that they can learn through their mistakes (Claywell, 2009). Due to continuous exposure and the ability to make independent decisions the students are able to expand their knowledge base.
Stage III Dependence/mutuality:
In this stage the nursing students grow up, they begin to evaluate the ideas from other practitioners and gain in-depth insight. They come into a realization that transition is a continuous process which entails continuous process of testing ideas, concepts and facts objectively (Claywell, 2009). As they amass more knowledge, they become rational in their appraisal process realizing that their professional entails integration of facts and opinions in order to remain relevant. Gradually they become oriented to the norms and the procedures of the organization they are working with and this improves their level of performance and collaboration with the other professionals. I believe that I am in this phase of nursing socialization. The organization that I work for has enabled me to integrate my individual needs with the organizational needs and this has enabled me to maintain a level of integrity and self...