<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This paper argues that professional regulatory frameworks are shaped by sociocultural factors and prevailing ideologies that stem from society’s interactions with and expectations of the regulated professions. Taking a century of Irish nursing and midwifery regulation as a case reflection, the paper highlights five regulatory pivot points to provide a historical narrative of how adopting a sociocultural perspective can enlighten our understanding of the current regulatory form. A form that in early twenty-first-century Ireland resulted in the establishment of a professionally contentious, non-professional (lay) majority on the regulatory board for these frontline professions. The paper concludes by suggesting that when viewed through a sociocultural lens, regulatory change is to be expected. As prevailing ideologies change, power, influence and cultures alter to support and reinforce the new ideology. Professional regulation thereby becomes reflective of society’s views on professionalism and professional identity, drawing on society’s historical experiences of the professions.</p>
</abstract>

This paper argues that professional regulatory frameworks are shaped by sociocultural factors and prevailing ideologies that stem from society’s interactions with and expectations of the regulated professions. Taking a century of Irish nursing and midwifery regulation as a case reflection, the paper highlights five regulatory pivot points to provide a historical narrative of how adopting a sociocultural perspective can enlighten our understanding of the current regulatory form. A form that in early twenty-first-century Ireland resulted in the establishment of a professionally contentious, non-professional (lay) majority on the regulatory board for these frontline professions. The paper concludes by suggesting that when viewed through a sociocultural lens, regulatory change is to be expected. As prevailing ideologies change, power, influence and cultures alter to support and reinforce the new ideology. Professional regulation thereby becomes reflective of society’s views on professionalism and professional identity, drawing on society’s historical experiences of the professions.

From the community handywomen to frontline heroes: Charting a century of Irish nursing and midwifery regulation

Association for Dental Education in Europe

Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin

Administration

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This paper argues that professional regulatory frameworks are shaped by sociocultural factors and prevailing ideologies that stem from society’s interactions...

From the community handywomen to frontline heroes: Charting a century of Irish nursing and midwifery regulation

Article Category: Articles

Publicado en línea: 11 ago 2021

Páginas: 19 - 43

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2021-0019

Palabras clave
Professional regulation, nursing and midwifery, Ireland, sociocultural perspective, ideology

© 2021 Denis Murphy et al, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

From the community handywomen to frontline heroes: Charting a century of Irish nursing and midwifery regulation

Article Category: Articles

Publicado en línea: 11 ago 2021

Páginas: 19 - 43

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2021-0019

Palabras claveProfessional regulation, nursing and midwifery, Ireland, sociocultural perspective, ideology

© 2021 Denis Murphy et al, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Palabras clave
Professional regulation, nursing and midwifery, Ireland, sociocultural perspective, ideology