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Contextual Factors Influencing the Evolution of Nurses' Roles in a Primary Health Care Clinic
Author(s) -
Paterson Barbara L.,
DuffettLeger Linda,
Cruttenden Kathleen
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2009.00800.x
Subject(s) - nursing , narrative , context (archaeology) , politics , qualitative research , psychology , health care , participant observation , medicine , sociology , political science , paleontology , social science , philosophy , linguistics , anthropology , law , biology
Objectives: The purpose of the research was to explore the everyday experiences and responses of stakeholders of a university‐sponsored nurse‐managed clinic (CHC) in regard to how nurses' roles in the clinic changed over time and the factors that influenced this change. Design and Sample: The research used a qualitative interpretive description design to interpret participants' accounts of their experience and perspectives as constructed narratives. The participants ( N =23) included clients, community members who were volunteers at the CHC, staff of other community agencies or organizations, and nursing or social work students who had a clinical learning experience at the CHC. Measures: Data collection involved two interviews, one semistructured, face‐to‐face interview at the location selected by the participant, and a group interview held in a boardroom at the CHC. Each interview lasted approximately 60–90 min. Results: The research findings revealed the profound effects of the social, political, and economic context in determining nurses' roles within a nurse‐managed primary health care clinic. The evolution of nursing roles occurred in reaction to these effects, causing the nurses within the CHC to juggle their priorities and commitments. Conclusions: The study provides a contemporary example of the political activism work of nurses that is often invisible and illustrates how the commitment of primary health care nurses to social justice contributes in a significant way to the resolution of health inequities experienced by marginalized populations.