Collectivism, democratization, and involvement

Abstract In ever-changing social and political cultures, it is important that nurses are able to work together and support each other in upholding the core values which are important to the profession. Different forms of collective organizations are available for nurses, including professional bodies and trade unions. Despite notional and philosophical differences, the workplace practices of these representative organizations tend to be similar, and nurses can gain particular benefits from membership of a collective. Professional bodies and trade unions are committed to substantial efforts to maintain strong representation of nurses, and an ultimate goal is the democratization of healthcare workplaces. Alongside this is a wider aim of democratizing healthcare, which necessitates the involvement of patients and the public. The impulse for collaboration in health services reflects wider social and policy concerns with citizenship and democratic participation. A consumerist turn in health policy has opened the door to advances in involvement initiatives, with nurses often playing a lead role. This chapter considers how collectivism, democratization, and involvement can enhance all aspects of professional nursing practice.