The identity of the female nurse: a reflection from the perspective of Dubar

Abstract

Background: Studies on professional identity constitute a challenge for research and instigates many considerations. Objective: To reflect on the process of construction of the professional identity of the female nurse according to Florence Nightingale, a precursor of modern nursing in the world. Key topics under analysis: Theoretical reflection which focuses on two seminal works written by Florence Nightingale: "Notes on Hospitals" (1859), and "Notes on Nursing: what it is and what it is not" (1860), based on the concepts of Claude Dubar about professional identity. Conclusion:The studies pointed out that the professional identity of the nightingalean nurse was shaped in the hospital, stemming from the knowledge and practice of the principles of care and administration, oriented by discipline, defined by Nightingale. They showed that, by implementing her education model, Nightingale caused a detachment from the identity legitimized by religious orders of that period, which may have contributed to the (re/ de)construction of the professional identity of female nurses.

200 years of Florence Nightingale: contributions to the professional practice of nurses in hospitals

“…In line with the findings of this study and the literature, it is understood that reflecting on the past of the profession is a starting point to understand the particularities of nursing development and understand its influence at the present time (3,6,8) . In this sense, the fact that 60% to 70% of nurses consider that Florence Nightingale's conceptions are in agreement or totally in agreement with their practice may explain why the professional practice of Portuguese nurses remains focused on preventing complications and on management of disease signs and symptoms (26) .…”

“…The fact that, in intensive medicine and urgency services, the environment that involves the person can be controlled according to their clinical evolution may justify the higher agreement of nurses who practice the profession in these contexts. In addition, constant vigilance for the early identification of problems, as well as for a more effective management of the signs and symptoms that emerge, is an aspect already highlighted by Florence Nightingale throughout her experience in the hospital context (6) .…”

“…Traditionally, it is agreed that it was from Florence Nightingale that the concern with theoretical aspects emerged in nursing (2,(4)(5) . Most scholars, in addition to naming it as the first modern nursing theorist (6)(7)(8) , see in their book "Notes on Nursing: What it is and What it is not" a theoretical model that they call environmentalist theory (1,4) . Although some authors believe that environmental theory does not stand up to rigorous critical analysis (9) , following an evaluation carried out based on the criteria of the Johnson and Webber model, the researchers concluded that, in addition to the theoretical precepts serving as a reference today, this theory contributes to a surprising difference in nursing practice (1) .…”

Desenvolvimento de competências dos enfermeiros orientadores: uma visão de peritos

“…Dubar (2012) also focuses on the importance of socialization as the individuals' immersion in the lived world through their own symbolism, culture, and knowledge. Therefore, the socialization process occurs in several contexts, within the institutions, through interactions with others, establishing a link between education (family, school) and work and social context (Dubar, 2012;Figueiredo & Peres, 2019). Primary socialization relies on the relationships established with the social world where the child lives; their family and school settings allow categorizing situations and building and anticipating social behaviors (Dubar, 2005).…”

“…This author also states that the reflection on workplace learning experiences gives meaning to these experiences and is developed in the social relationships established in the learning settings. The relationships established with the professionals from that world, the incorporation of their ways of thinking and acting, and the acquisition of the values and norms of that professional group become the reference point of the professional's attitudes, behaviors, and conduct (Figueiredo & Peres, 2019). Liljedahl 2018and Melo et al (2017) highlighted the relationship and the interaction between the student, the CT nurse preceptor, and the rest of the team as a source of difficulties during the CT, influencing successful learning.…”