The emotional labour of nursing

Abstract

James (1992a) suggests that emotional labour is a necessary component of care giving, and that it involves the management and regulation of feeling. The purpose of this paper is to address and critically analyse the implications associated with emotional labour and nursing practice. In order to do this, it is important to appreciate what James means by 'emotional labour' and 'care'. This will involve drawing upon the work of the nurse theorists. Watson (1988) and Leininger (1988) and sociologists, Hochschild (1983) and Smith (1992) so as to gain an insight into the different perspectives of emotional labour and concepts of care. For the purpose of this paper, the assumption is made that care is a component of nursing practice. An attempt will also be made to address related aspects such as gender stereotypes, organisation of care in the workplace, management styles and nurse education, whilst drawing upon the implications for nursing. Although the study will draw on the nursing profession as a whole, however, the main focus will be on the implications for student nurses.