Redefining nursing solidarity

Abstract

The idea of solidarity is in vogue, especially since the eruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the term “solidarity,” as used in nursing, is imprecise and vague, lacking clear definition and connoting a variety of general meanings. Based on the original meaning of “solidarity” in ancient Roman law, this article captures the archetypical idea of solidarity from a historical and interdisciplinary perspective. This archetypical or primary meaning comes before the development of any other meanings of the word, and it is therefore authentic and genuine because it does not derive from something else. After establishing the archetypical meaning of solidarity, the article translates this meaning into the area of nursing and demonstrates a deep connectivity between healthcare and solidarity. The second part of the article offers and develops a new definition of nursing solidarity as the responsibility for the healthcare of a person (unit) shared as a whole (entirety) by that person and a nurse or a nursing team (plurality). This new definition has some implications for nursing practice and education, since the definition emphasizes the idea that solidarity helps to (a) foster respect and avoid discrimination, (b) promote cohesion in health communities, (c) increase individual responsibility and a spirit of service, (d) stimulate motivation, (e) improve communication, (f) create an engaging workplace, and (g) develop leadership.

A divided community: A descriptive qualitative study of the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on nurses and their relationships

“…Many nurses described developing deep bonds with their co‐workers, which were critical to overcoming the challenges that they encountered. Domingo‐Osle and Domingo (2022) examined the notion of solidarity in nursing and suggested that it embodies the ‘we’ of nursing, a deep respect for human dignity and a shared responsibility to promote cohesion in health communities. The importance of teamwork and peer support was also evidenced in other studies conducted during the pandemic (Guttormson et al, 2022; Maben et al, 2022).…”

“…The importance of teamwork and peer support was also evidenced in other studies conducted during the pandemic (Guttormson et al, 2022; Maben et al, 2022). Domingo‐Osle and Domingo (2022) suggested that solidarity might be nurtured through interpersonal communication, creating a workplace in which responsibilities are shared, teamwork is optimized and leadership is both vertical and horizontal. Delgado et al (2021) argued that we should turn our focus to nurturing ‘communities of practice’ in which individuals can express their solidarity and cohesion as having overcome a shared trauma.…”

Nurses’ collegiality: An evolutionary concept analysis

“…73 In addition, solidarity was seen as a professional commitment to shared responsibility to healthcare, an individual or group of professionals. 74 Nurse-to-nurse interaction referred to a professional working culture where nurses had a positive influence on each other, their interplay created a team spirit and they felt they had a responsibility to voice their concerns to colleagues if the care provided deviated from accepted practice. 75 Collegiality has been used interchangeably with collaboration, 39 but this is not in line with our analysis.…”