References
The habitus and field of district nursing: a discussion around its professional status and symbolic capital
Abstract
This paper examines the significant historical and political influences on district nursing and its representation in terms of employability and education today. Using Bourdieu's theory of habitus and field, the author looks at how district nursing has been positioned in terms of a profession since its establishment. District nursing's profile and value within the NHS has declined in recent years, resulting in reduced district nurse education opportunities and funding from government. Bourdieu's habitus (how something has come to be) and field (an identified social space) can be used as a tool to understand and examine the field of district nursing and its relationship with other areas. The paper explores the history of the profession of district nursing, the definition of professional capital, political moves in cost savings, education and the influence of media on determining public perception, and how this may influence the play for professional and symbolic capital. It also discusses the politics of internal, external and wider fields of power at play when considering the decline in the number of district nurses. The author recommends making district nurse education a priority to improve quality of patient care in the community, reduce hospital admissions and expedite patient discharge.
A district nurse is a qualified nurse who has completed a post-registration qualification in the specialist field of district nursing, recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2024). The district nurse role and title were given to nurses who cared for patients at home in a related district or area. The establishment of district nursing in England during the Victorian times was significant as it advanced women's roles and their professions.
Amid debate about social class and working women, the Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) began offering professional training to district nurses in 1887 (QNI, 2024a). The QNI defines district nurses as senior nurses who manage community care within the UK's National Health Service (QNI, 2024b). While district nurses are also associated with community nursing under an umbrella term, community nursing itself is associated with many different job titles. This can be confusing to the people in need of health care, who may not understand the specialist expertise being delivered to them by qualified district nurses (QNI, 2019a). The NMC standards of proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications acknowledge this variance of community nursing roles and the ever-changing context of community nursing. Further specialist qualifications may be needed to address this (NMC, 2022).
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