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for incompetence? In describing vulnerability as strength perhaps we are
really considering incompetence?
This has challenged me to consider the notion of vulnerability as strength
in more depth. In considering it detached from any context I notice how I
have unwittingly polarised the ideas. Either we are vulnerable or we are
incompetent but as Cixous (1975) has suggested this categorisation of
ideas creates a set of hierarchical values which often hides the political,
philosophical and power dimensions on which such dichotomies are
founded. She argues for a dialectical relationship between such ideas. In
other words I can construct my vulnerability as strength and it can also
mask my competence and incompetence. I hold the capacity given the
context to be both and it is the interplay between the two extremes where
my learning occurs and I believe inspires reflecting during care giving.
Perhaps the more dominant discourse sets invulnerability in opposition to
incompetence and is a process which hides power between the
professional and the patient.
I suggest vulnerability as strength is also about developing an emotional
resilience to the pressures of work helping to ease the build up of
emotions by naming them before situations can get out of hand. As I found
through the meditation 59 , using my vulnerability as strength provides a
sense of being centred and connected allowing me to deal with whatever
might happen. In other words, I put situations in perspective, control and
work with my emotions, noticing my body‘s reactions while feeling
empowered to reconstruct events in a way that I can manage. It gives me
choices in the moment. As Susan found 60 nurses who ignore their
emotional responses to working and caring for others can become
hardened to the suffering and sadness they may encounter, losing touch
with their humanity and empathy for others. Dealing directly with
59 See Whinging Wilma writing chapter 5
60 See chapter 5
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