Concepts and Challenges
1. Examine your state’s nursing practice act for its definition of
nursing. How is it similar to or different from definitions in this
chapter?
2. From among the definitions of nursing in this chapter, determine
the one you think fits most closely with your understanding of
nursing, and explain your choice.
3. How might new technologies, economic factors, social trends,
and evolving practice options for nurses affect future definitions
of nursing? How might these factors affect the scope of nursing?
4. If you are already a practicing nurse, how has your personal
definition of nursing changed over time? How have you seen the
scope of nursing change since you entered practice?
5. Describe how both formal and informal socialization experiences
in school are affecting your understanding and image of
nursing.
6. Examine one of the two models of socialization discussed in this
chapter, and determine at which stage you are in your
development as a student and nurse. Give your rationale for that
placement. If none of the models or stages fits your experience,
create your own model (or stage).
7. Talk to an experienced nurse about his or her experience with
reality shock. How is this individual handling the transition
from student to practicing nurse? What can you learn from his
or her experience?
8. Identify several personal and professional areas in which you
think you could use mentoring and support. Select a potential
mentor, and ask if you can have an honest conversation about
how he or she can be helpful to you in your personal and
professional development.
