Abstract
Sociology is one of the core courses undertaken by many nursing students. This paper explains why “The Black Family” is an important course for nursing students. The paper identifies the best sociological lessons towards a better nursing practice. Nurses should use different sociological theories to support the health needs of every African American citizen.
Introduction
Sociology focuses on the origin and development of human socials behaviors. The field also studies the development of social institutions and socio-cultural behaviors. Our American society has addressed the issues of gender, identity, religion, race, and sexuality for many centuries. The American black family has encountered numerous challenges in an attempt to realize its objectives. Racial stratification and inequality are common in our country. Many American citizens are working hard to achieve their goals. Our country is currently experiencing a new wave of sociological development. The experiences of many Americans are also changing. This essay explains why I am taking the “The Black Family” course as a nursing student.
Why I am Taking this Course as a Nursing Student
Our population is one of the most diverse in the world. Sociology focuses on human ideas, values, beliefs, and cultural practices. The above course will help every student understand the sociological issues experienced by many African Americans. Such ideas are critical towards supporting the changing health needs of this population. Human beings “are social in nature” (Allen, 2001, p. 389). Humans also formulate new social policies, ideas, and thoughts to govern their societal practices. Some issues such as sexuality, deviance, social class, and mobility are common in our societies.
Nurses and caregivers should use this course whenever providing evidence-based support to every vulnerable population. This course equips learners with new ideas and philosophies to understand every issue affecting the African American society. Caregivers should always address the situations and difficulties facing every Black American (Cooke & Philpin, 2008). This course provides basic knowledge towards supporting the needs of such clients. Caregivers should be ready to provide quality healthcare to individuals from different socio-cultural backgrounds. A competent nurse practitioner (NP) will examine such issues to provide the best nursing care.
The course deals with most of the issues defining every African American community. Sociology also identifies “the opportunities arising from social education, the internet, and communal activities” (Cooke & Philpin, 2008, p. 37). Sociologists have presented new theories for dealing with the challenges affecting our communities. Such theories will promote the health conditions of every vulnerable population. Nurses should come together to deal with social vices such as crime, prejudice, inequality, enmity, and discrimination. These problems are common in every black society.
According to the course, nurses should be ready “to support patients from every culture, religion, race, or country” (Allen, 2001, p. 392). They should also consider every external and internal force affecting the health outcomes of their patients. This course will make me a competent provider of evidence-based support to every vulnerable population in our country. Nurses can use sociological theories to support every vulnerable group such as the black family (Harttery & Smith, 2007). This practice will ensure every clinician addresses the health concerns of his or her clients.
Conclusion
The black family is facing many health challenges. Sociology equips every learner with new insights and ideas towards professional practice. I now understand why sociology is one of the core courses in nursing. Nurses should “promote the best ethical standards and codes of practice” (Harttery & Smith, 2007, p. 95). They should also support the needs of every vulnerable population. This course will equip me with the best concepts to achieve my professional goals. I will read more articles and books in order to provide better support and care to my African American patients.
Reference List
Allen, D. (2001). Nursing and Sociology: An Uneasy Marriage. Sociology of Health and Illness, 23(3), 386-396.
Cooke, H., & Philpin, S. (2008). Sociology in Nursing and Healthcare. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Services.
Harttery, J., & Smith, E. (2007). African American Families. New York, NY: Sage Publications.