Evidence of the Unspeakable

Abstract

This philosophical article utilizes the concept of "the Unspeakable," referring to the creation of biopolitical spaces for nursing in which compassion is rendered severely diminished to impossible. The effect of the Unspeakable in shaping nursing practice is explored in contemporary health care. Local, autobiographical narratives are used to illustrate the effect of the Unspeakable on nursing in both the academic and clinical settings. Alternative strategies for resisting the Unspeakable and promoting compassion as an essential element of effective nursing practice are proposed.

Anger Suppression and Rumination Sequentially Mediates the Effect of Emotional Labor in Korean Nurses

“…It is still an ongoing discussion as to whether emotional suppression always demonstrates a negative effect on psychological adjustment. There are results from meta-analytic studies which suggest that emotional suppression exhibits a negative impact on an individual’s psychological health, but at the same time, there have also been studies that have reported on adaptive aspects of emotional suppression [21,22]. Thus, it cannot be assumed that simply suppressing negative emotions always leads to psychological maladjustment.…”

A philosophical analysis of anti‐intellectualism in nursing: Newman’s view of a university education

“…Uncritical reliance on online asynchronous delivery and online pedagogies may increase or reinforce an already powerful current of anti-intellectualism in nursing. Technology mediates the biopolitical space between nursing students and their educators, which is likely to be reproduced in the nursing patient/client relationships in practice (Georges, 2011). Technology becomes the object of care, and nurse-patient relationships are depersonalized and alienated due to technology's omnipresence and intrusive presence.…”

“…Regulators have reduced nursing knowledge to the uncritical development of critical pathways and regulations, decreasing creativity and critical thinking skills associated with the complexities of nursing practice (Georges, 2011). Short-term efficiency outcomes, fiscal accountability, focus on competency-based education and the 'objective' measurement of these competencies emphasize developing skills and competencies in nursing education (Foth & Holmes, 2016).…”

“…Short-term efficiency outcomes, fiscal accountability, focus on competency-based education and the 'objective' measurement of these competencies emphasize developing skills and competencies in nursing education (Foth & Holmes, 2016). Georges (2011) suggests that a lack of compassion in nursing creates unhealthy academic environments in which anti-intellectualism thrives. She mentions:…”

“…(Georges, 2011, p. 134) We contend that neoliberal market-driven forces and managerial efficiency operating within nursing education fuels anti-intellectualism by devaluing, if not wholly erasing, the value of fundamental nursing knowledge. Georges (2011) points to the 'invisible and unacknowledged force that shapes the very matrix in which nursing is situated' (p.…”