PDF (PhD Thesis) - UWE Research Repository - University of the ...

So when I lost it, on the ward, I mean I didn‟t shout but I know
that I was demonstrating anger in my body language. I know I was
because I was so angry and had to work hard to keep my voice,
and tone reasonable. That went through that team like wild fire,
apparently there were people calling each other at home, the Sister
got phoned at home, the Senior Staff Nurse got phoned at home.
So when I came to do my next bank shift the ward was
immaculate.” (Final interview 20/4/06)
Here Jordon shows she is tuned into her body, its possible impact on
others and is conscious of Treating People Well thus embodying reflexivity
in the moment. She named the difficulties straight away and challenged
the poor performance of her colleagues. In analysing my diary, I realised
my unwillingness to challenge others was related to uncertainty – I couldn‘t
be sure how the other person would respond to the challenge. I didn‘t want
to hurt them or appear critical. I started to wonder were women more
reluctant to challenge each other or was it a nursing disposition? In the co-
inquiry group and conversations with students and practising nurses, this
idea of not upsetting the other person through challenging was voiced time
and time again. I now see this as an aspect of the field which also reflects
Gilligan‘s (1982) ethic of care but serves to keep nurses feeling powerless.
Brescoll and Uhlmann (2008) suggest women may face a backlash in
response to showing anger:
―Professional women face a dilemma: On the one hand, anger may
serve as a powerful professional tool – for instance to compel other
people to fulfil their responsibilities, or to castigate them for
incompetence (Shields, 2002). On the other hand, to achieve and
maintain a high social status, professional women may have to
behave ―unemotionally‖ so that they are seen as rational (Albright,
2003). Thus, it is important to identify strategies that professional
women can use to express anger without incurring a social penalty.‖
(2008 p.274)
Alex described getting angry when she felt pressurised or overwhelmed
with too much work. She said:
224