Towards a Sociology of Nursing

Towards a Sociology of Nursing offers fresh insights from recent research into the nursing profession. Nurses represent an important part of the professionally trained female workforce and, being a middle-class profession, changes in nursing reflect changes of many working women worldwide. Scholarship addressing these changes, however, often consists of narratives of nurses talking about themselves, which can be enriched by a sociological background that foregrounds hypotheses.​

In this book, Ricardo A. Ayala problematises the realities which inform, affect and shape nursing, offering new perspectives on the consequences of those social realities for the nursing profession and society more broadly. He draws on extensive field research with nurses in the workplace, spending time with them, interviewing key actors and reading and analysing documents critically through a distinctive sociological lens.

“The audience is scholars interested in sociological research in nursing, although the author accurately implies the book's usefulness for those teaching nursing. Graduate students in the health professions, in particular and those in leadership roles in healthcare institutions may find that the book expands ways of thinking about sociological issues in the nursing profession. … This book is high quality from the perspective of a dissertation.” (Martha Scheckel, Doody's Book Reviews, November 22, 2019) “Nursing is often studied as a single entity as if nursing were a single issue untouched by culture, geography and political economy. In fact, it is embedded in the social relations and constructed within different socio-cultural and historical contexts. The body of work presented in this book is formidable and inspiring in its depth and breath. I see the author as uniquely able to contribute to the disciplines of sociology and nursing.” (Professor Karen Breda, University of Hartford, USA)

“Ayala does a remarkable analysis of nursing’s professionalization. By using the Chilean example, he takes us on a historical and sociological journey that helps us to understand the progress (and sometimes difficulties) nurses around the world have faced while constructing their social image. This book is a must-read for those keen to learn more about the sociology of nursing and also a great methodological input for systematically exploring the sociology of professions.” (Professor Paulina Bravo, Catholic University of Chile School of Nursing, Chile)

“Dr Ayala’s book traces the origins and continuum of the nursing profession throughout history as a powerful force on the health, well-being and shape of society. His book provides a useful sociological compass for navigating through the realm of professional and societal issues reflected in nursing. Ayala skillfully explores how nursing transitioned to academia, investigates the cultural schisms between nursing and midwifery and scopes the impact of the profession on modern healthcare. He offers an excellent contemporaneous and timely analysis to the gendered nuances of nursing which is much needed in an age searching for equity and equality between the sexes. Ayala’s multi-faceted text appeals to the reader who willingly thinks and reflects about the minutiae, complexity and conceptuality of issues that can influence nursing practice. This book will be valued among those with an inquisitive mind and an appreciation of the rich sociological vein of interest nursing provides. I expect that lay, professional and research-mind people will find this book enriching as it adopts an accessible prose which provides intellectual nutrition that is easily digested by all types of readers.” (Professor Nicholas Ralph, University of Southern Queensland, Australia)

Ricardo A. Ayala works at the Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Belgium.