Main description:

Sociology for Nurses has become a leading textbook and an invaluable companion for students wishing to get to grips with how sociology can positively transform professional nursing practice. This thoroughly revised new edition maintains its commitment to providing jargon-free explanations of sociological theories and evidence to show how studying sociology can be useful in all branches of nursing. Readers will develop a clear understanding of what sociology is and why it is essential to practice, gain deeper awareness of social issues such as gender, ethnicity, class and the life course, and become more familiar with the social contexts of health policy and nursing as a profession. With updates in every chapter, the third edition includes a new chapter on research methods, a reorganized collection of chapters on health policy, extended coverage of long-term illness and disability, as well as contemporary case studies on topical healthcare issues such as dementia, the obesity epidemic and recent attempts to integrate health and social care.
In addition, the book provides clearly defined learning aims, a useful glossary of sociological concepts, structured activities and questions for discussion, and annotated suggestions for further reading. The editors and contributing authors to the book have a wealth of experience teaching sociology to nurses at diploma and degree pre-registration and post-registration levels. Their book will continue to spark interest and debate among all student nurses, particularly those approaching sociology for the first time. Please visit the accompanying website at: http://www.politybooks.com/sociologyfornurses.

Contents:

Introduction Part I: Nursing and the Sociology of Health and Health Care 1. What is Sociology? Sarah Earle and Keith Sharp 2. Why Should Nurses Study Sociology? Sarah Earle and Barbara Green 3. What is Health? Sarah Earle 4. Nursing as an Occupation Elaine Denny 5. Researching Health Carol Komaromy Part II: Inequalities and Diversity in Health and Health Care 6. Gender Gayle Letherby 7. The Family, Health and Caring Geraldine Brown and Corinne Wilson 8. Age and Ageing Pat Chambers and Elaine Denny 9. Long Term Illness and Conditions Elaine Denny 10. Disability Sue Ledger, Jan Walmsley and Lindy Shufflebotham 11. Social Class and Health Sarah Earle and Terry O Donnell 12. Race and Ethnicity Paula McGee Part III: Policy Influences on Health and Health Care 13. Policy in Health Kate Thomson 14. Managing in Health Care Alistair Hewison 15. Social Care Catherine Needham 16. Global Health Sarah Earle