Could someone help me with a sociology homework question

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Specializes in ICU.

Since it says I can talk to someone that works in a hospital I thought I'd come here and ask you fine folks!

Conflict theory: read the textbook's treatment of conflict theory and, especially, the brief section subheaded "Conflict Theory Today." Provide an example of the kind of antagonism, conflict, inquity, or exploitation that might be found within or between a hospital's units, wards, or categories of workers, that a conflict theorist might study. If you are not familiar with any, do an online search or talk to someone who works in a hospital or nursing home to find an example.

Thank you in advance!!

Kim

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Example: Emergency room is busy and sends patient at shift change (naturally) without admit or holding orders, which is not discovered until after patient is brought to unit. When called, ER unit secretary becomes gnarly and refuses to take responsibility or give phone to someone with authority. States that hospitalist said that he will see the patient on the unit. Hospitalist is tied up with another admit on Med-Surg. Animosity between ER and unit exacerbated by this incident.

Example: Gnarly unit secretary with social clout refuses to cooperate with nurse who would like to properly check unit secretaries work before she signs off orders. Unit secretary balks and slams charts on desk, and intimidates RN, who is newer and not under thumb of bossy unit secretary. Unit secretary also spends as much time as she can on phone arranging her personal life, and then does her online shopping. Has many nurses under her thumb and shuns newer nurse who would like unit secretary to do her job while at work.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Well there is always the classic nurse/doctor antagonism. This takes many different forms. Personally, for me this exists in that if I am having a patient with a problem and even though some Doctors just want me to ask for what I want, some Doctors will purposely NOT give you what you ask for because for some reason it bruises their already over-inflated egos.

Another probably more significant issue is the antagonism that exists between new grads and some of the older experienced nurses. (hence, the tired old phrase, nurses eat their young...) There is actually a very good thread on that issue, that would give great insight I would imagine.

That is all I can think of off the top of my head, but what an interesting subject! I can't wait to read other responders!

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Specializes in pure and simple psych.

A very common conflict is one found everywhere... Shift Vs, Shift.

Usually it is one shift in conflict with the preceeding one, as in PM shift gets peckish about what, or how Day shift did or did not do something. Each shift always feels that they are the most overworked and underappreciated shift ever. And everybody dumps on NOC shift.:trout:

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Specializes in insanity control.

Heres one for you.

Staff vs Traveler. Staff dumps on traveler due to wage difference, short time, and perception that traveler could not hold a "regular" job.

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Specializes in ED.

PCT's looking at nurses charting and thinking that all they do is sit on their butts.

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