Applied Social Science for Nursing Students

This book provides an introduction to the essential social sciences for nursing, explaining how they can be applied to practice to provide holistic person-centered care, advocate for patients, and contribute to service improvement. It is fully mapped to the NMC standards of proficiency for registered nurses (2018) and includes case studies, activities, and student insights to illustrate theory and concepts in real-life nursing practice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2023
Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

The social sciences are a broad and interdisciplinary field that encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, psychology, economics, political science, history, and anthropology. These fields of study are relevant to nursing in numerous ways, as they provide a deeper understanding of the individuals, communities, and societies that nurses interact with.

One of the primary ways in which the social sciences are relevant to nursing is through the development of a person-centered approach to care. Person-centered care is a philosophy of care that emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting the individual's unique experiences, values, and preferences. By incorporating social science theories and principles into nursing practice, nurses can better understand the social and cultural factors that may impact their patients' health and well-being.

For example, sociological theories can help nurses understand the social determinants of health, such as poverty, discrimination, and social exclusion. By recognizing these factors, nurses can work to address social inequalities and promote health equity. Psychological theories can also be useful in nursing, as they provide insights into human behavior, emotions, and cognition. This knowledge can help nurses better understand their patients' needs and develop effective interventions to address their psychological and emotional concerns.

Economics is another social science that is relevant to nursing. Nurses can use economic theories to understand the economic implications of healthcare policies and practices, as well as to advocate for their patients and their communities. For example, economic theories can help nurses understand the cost-effectiveness of different healthcare interventions and advocate for policies that prioritize the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.

Political science is also relevant to nursing, as it provides insights into the political processes that shape healthcare policies and practices. By understanding the political landscape, nurses can advocate for their patients and their communities and work to promote policies that prioritize the health and well-being of all individuals.

History is another social science that is relevant to nursing, as it provides insights into the development of healthcare systems and practices. By understanding the historical context of nursing, nurses can better appreciate the contributions of past nurses and their role in shaping the profession.

Anthropology is also relevant to nursing, as it provides insights into the cultural and social practices of different communities. By understanding the cultural perspectives of their patients and their communities, nurses can provide more culturally sensitive and appropriate care.

In addition to these theoretical perspectives, the social sciences can also be applied to nursing practice in a practical way. For example, social science research can help nurses develop new interventions and strategies to improve patient outcomes. Social science research can also help nurses understand the impact of social and cultural factors on health and well-being and develop strategies to address these factors.

Overall, the social sciences are a valuable resource for nursing practice, as they provide a deeper understanding of the individuals, communities, and societies that nurses interact with. By incorporating social science theories and principles into nursing practice, nurses can provide more person-centered, effective, and culturally sensitive care.

In conclusion, the social sciences are a broad and interdisciplinary field that encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, psychology, economics, political science, history, and anthropology. These fields of study are relevant to nursing in numerous ways, as they provide a deeper understanding of the individuals, communities, and societies that nurses interact with. By incorporating social science theories and principles into nursing practice, nurses can provide more person-centered, effective, and culturally sensitive care. The social sciences are a valuable resource for nursing practice, as they provide a deeper understanding of the individuals, communities, and societies that nurses interact with.

Dimension: 246 x 171 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529797046