- Email: [email protected]
The Socialization of Neophyte Nurses
avenues of potential actions for the nursing profession in the context of professionalism and effective use of power. The papers identify the roles and the lack of roles for nurses within the health care system. And they talk about the need for the professional nurse to be an active constituent in organizational levels of institutions, professional associations, and the federal legislation pro-
cess. Power, as identified in Margretta Styles’s paper, is the capacity to act. She says power is essential within the nursing profession and while interacting with other professions. It can be used to remain the patients’ advocate and to promote wellness as well as put into action the developed definitions, standards, codes, regulations, resolutions, positions, and scientific knowledge endorsed by the nursing organizations. Anne Van Slyck‘s paper offers an innovative plan of variable charges for nursing care. She says, “Nursing historically has justified its existence with ‘quality of care’ arguments and rationales alone. But we are faced with having to justify nursing services financially as well.” The model offers an alternative for nursing care to be identified and quantified according to the patient’s level of illness and care needed. In Doris Armstrong’s presentation, she shows proof that when nurses are given more power to control their practice, it leads to improved patient care and lower costs. This book addresses the complex aspect of power and professionalism, a concern of all practicing nurses. The book is recommended for those nurses in leadership positions who have the power to direct charges, give guidance and promote recognition of professional nursing within the health care system. Charlotte Owen, RN Clearwater, Fla
as well as how they develop some control of their environment. Myers notes that until recently little was written about how new graduates adjusted to becoming professionals. Recent studies by nursing leaders, such as Marlene Kramer, RN, have investigated what the new graduate is experiencing. Myers chose to study the socialization of new graduates from the experienced staffs viewpoint. She maintained objectivity by collecting the data on a specialty unit in a hospital with which she had no prior contact. The text is written in research format but without using extensive research terminology. Most of the book describes the study design, environment, and the author’s data collection experiences. The initial study design was revised soon after data collection began; Myers included only one study unit instead of the three units planned because of time restrictions. By studying only one unit, she was able to Observe the same nurses on each shift throughout their first months of experience. Diagrams and graphs are used to describe the unit, and models effectively explain Myers’s theoretical approach. A methodological appendix details how observations were made and how the nurses reactedto being observed. Another section includes references, defines terms, and further explains some aspects of the study environment. This small, hardbound book will be helpful to nursing educators and administrators as they plan orientation for new graduate nurses. I recommend the book to those responsible for the development of nurse orientation internship programs. Marjorie Y Placek, RN Verona, Pa
The Socialization of Neophyte Nurses. Loretta C Myers. UMI Research Press, University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, Mich 48106, 1982, 144 pp, 39.95. Remember your first months as a new graduate? How did you learn what it really meant to be a nurse? The Socialization of Neophyte Nurses deals with this process using a formal research approach. Loretta C Myers explores how graduate nurses learn what is expected,
AORN Journal, November 1983, Vol38, No 5
867
cess. Power, as identified in Margretta Styles’s paper, is the capacity to act. She says power is essential within the nursing profession and while interacting with other professions. It can be used to remain the patients’ advocate and to promote wellness as well as put into action the developed definitions, standards, codes, regulations, resolutions, positions, and scientific knowledge endorsed by the nursing organizations. Anne Van Slyck‘s paper offers an innovative plan of variable charges for nursing care. She says, “Nursing historically has justified its existence with ‘quality of care’ arguments and rationales alone. But we are faced with having to justify nursing services financially as well.” The model offers an alternative for nursing care to be identified and quantified according to the patient’s level of illness and care needed. In Doris Armstrong’s presentation, she shows proof that when nurses are given more power to control their practice, it leads to improved patient care and lower costs. This book addresses the complex aspect of power and professionalism, a concern of all practicing nurses. The book is recommended for those nurses in leadership positions who have the power to direct charges, give guidance and promote recognition of professional nursing within the health care system. Charlotte Owen, RN Clearwater, Fla
as well as how they develop some control of their environment. Myers notes that until recently little was written about how new graduates adjusted to becoming professionals. Recent studies by nursing leaders, such as Marlene Kramer, RN, have investigated what the new graduate is experiencing. Myers chose to study the socialization of new graduates from the experienced staffs viewpoint. She maintained objectivity by collecting the data on a specialty unit in a hospital with which she had no prior contact. The text is written in research format but without using extensive research terminology. Most of the book describes the study design, environment, and the author’s data collection experiences. The initial study design was revised soon after data collection began; Myers included only one study unit instead of the three units planned because of time restrictions. By studying only one unit, she was able to Observe the same nurses on each shift throughout their first months of experience. Diagrams and graphs are used to describe the unit, and models effectively explain Myers’s theoretical approach. A methodological appendix details how observations were made and how the nurses reactedto being observed. Another section includes references, defines terms, and further explains some aspects of the study environment. This small, hardbound book will be helpful to nursing educators and administrators as they plan orientation for new graduate nurses. I recommend the book to those responsible for the development of nurse orientation internship programs. Marjorie Y Placek, RN Verona, Pa
The Socialization of Neophyte Nurses. Loretta C Myers. UMI Research Press, University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, Mich 48106, 1982, 144 pp, 39.95. Remember your first months as a new graduate? How did you learn what it really meant to be a nurse? The Socialization of Neophyte Nurses deals with this process using a formal research approach. Loretta C Myers explores how graduate nurses learn what is expected,
AORN Journal, November 1983, Vol38, No 5
867