The global nursing shortage, driven by an aging population and decline of the nursing workforce, remains a critical challenge for healthcare systems. At the same time, healthcare is changing.
Changes in technology, digitalization and ambulatory care are reshaping the role of nursing within larger multidisciplinary teams, and there is an increased emphasis on the development of academic methods and theory within nursing.
While advanced scientific methods might strengthen the discipline, they might also risk excluding nursing practitioners who lack academic training. This tension could be understood as an issue of epistemic and structural justice, where certain forms of knowledge are privileged while other voices risk marginalization.
The question arises to what extent is there a risk that academization of nursing disconnects from everyday nursing work, and risks excluding certain practitioners within the profession?
In this lecture, it is argued that strengthening nursing as a scientific and interdisciplinary field must be grounded in daily practice and remain inclusive to diverse educational backgrounds.
About the speaker
Jasperina Brouwer (rug.nl) is assistant professor at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences at Universtiy of Groningen, Netherlands.
She combines her educational background in social, health, and educational sciences with practical experience as a nurse in her research. Her research focuses on social mechanisms contributing to professional development and retention in nursing and other professions (e.g., teachers or doctors).
Proficient in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, her expertise lies in applying advanced (longitudinal) social network analysis techniques in student and professional networks. Employing a comprehensive mixed methods approach, she also delves into the impact of healthcare innovations, i.e. technological advancements combined with shifts in care delivery by formal and informal caregivers—on professional commitment, identity and development.
Marita Nordhaug will serve as a commentator on the seminar. Nordhaug is an associate professor in nursing at OsloMet, and her academic work centres on medical and health ethics, professional ethics, nursing philosophy and science, as well as nursing education. She holds a PhD in Professional Studies from the Centre for the Study of Professions at OsloMet and is the leader of the research group Empowerment.
