Week 7 Case Study | Chapter 13: Theories from the Sociological Sciences

Natalie Kazakova is a recent graduate from an entry-level master’s in nursing program. Natalie’s first degree was in engineering and was obtained in her native country of Russia. After immigrating to the United States, she decided she preferred to work in health care because of her desire to work with and care for people. Now, as a new graduate, she was hired for a position at a local community hospital in an intensive care unit (ICU) and has completed her weeks of orientation. Natalie was initially very excited to have found a job in such a challenging unit and is eager to begin work as a nurse.

A few weeks after orientation has ended, Natalie finds herself questioning her choice to become a nurse. She finds it hard to go into work because she is feeling insecure and has self-doubts. Natalie remembers how she entered nursing to take on the caring role of the nurse, but in this busy ICU, she finds her time is being spent on monitoring equipment and giving medications. In addition, her coworkers have not been supportive. Two particular nurses who are on the night shift with her are very critical and frequently deride her for asking questions. These nurses are both ADN graduates, each with more than 10 years of ICU experience. When Natalie asks a question, they say things such as “I thought you had a master’s degree, why don’t you know anything?” and “What did you learn at that university, anyways?” Natalie finds it hard to ask them for any assistance and feels like leaving her position. She struggles to understand what is going on.

1.

What theories from the chapter explain what Ms. Kazakova is experiencing?

2.

Natalie remembers studying these theories and others in her MSN program, which helps her cope. Although strategies are not explicitly outlined in the chapter, what might Natalie do to thrive in her current situation?