Positive and Negative Socialisation in Nursing

Abstract

<table><tr><td colspan="2" class="item-title">Positive and Negative Socialisation in Nursing</td></tr><tr class="item-sponsor"><td class="label">Conference Sponsor:</td><td class="value">Sigma Theta Tau International</td></tr><tr class="item-year"><td class="label">Conference Year:</td><td class="value">2004</td></tr><tr class="item-conference-date"><td class="label">Conference Date:</td><td class="value">July 22-24, 2004</td></tr><tr class="item-author"><td class="label">Author:</td><td class="value">Madison, Jeanne, RN, PhD</td></tr><tr class="item-institute"><td class="label">P.I. Institution Name:</td><td class="value">University of New England</td></tr><tr class="item-author-title"><td class="label">Title:</td><td class="value">Senior Lecturer</td></tr><tr class="item-email"><td class="label">Email:</td><td class="value">jmadison@metz.une.edu.au</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="item-abstract">Objective: To critically analyse and discuss contemporary literature and the current nexus between positive socialization (mentoring) and negative socialization (&lsquo;eating our young&rsquo;) in nursing Design: Literature review, content analysis and exploratory discussion Population: Peer-reviewed nursing and health care literature 2000 - 2003 Concept(s) Studied: The concept of positive socialization (mentoring) and negative socialization in the nursing profession are selected as key concepts for this study. Methods: A systematic and objective critical content analysis is used in developing an appraisal of the contemporary literature regarding the concept of positive and negative socialization experiences of newer or less experienced nurses. Findings: The literature is replete with extensive analysis and commentary on mentoring and its counterpoint &lsquo;eating our young&rsquo;. Mentoring in nursing has received significant attention as evidenced by the findings of this literature review and analysis. Nurses should be encouraged to find increased understanding and multiple positive examples of the consequences of mentoring behaviours. Increased analysis, explanation and discussion of negative socialisation behaviours and links to oppressed populations have provided assistance in the development and importance of strategies to reduce these behaviours in the nursing profession. Discussion will be presented regarding the links between positive and negative socialization and their place in the future of nursing Conclusions: The most obvious example of positive socialization strategy continues to be mentoring (or associated supportive behaviours) as evidenced by the plethora of attention it receives . By naming negative socialisation and other similar unsupportive behaviours and increasing our understanding of its relation to oppressed populations, appropriate strategies can be developed to reduce and eliminate its influence and consequences Implications: As a result of evidence-based nursing research mentoring is widely accepted as a positive socialization mechanism in the profession. Further attention is required to understand negative socialization</td></tr></table>