The habitus and field of district nursing: a discussion around its professional status and symbolic capital.

Abstract

This paper examines the significant historical and political influences on district nursing and its representation in terms of employability and education today. Using Bourdieu's theory of habitus and field, the author looks at how district nursing has been positioned in terms of a profession since its establishment. District nursing's profile and value within the NHS has declined in recent years, resulting in reduced district nurse education opportunities and funding from government. Bourdieu's habitus (how something has come to be) and field (an identified social space) can be used as a tool to understand and examine the field of district nursing and its relationship with other areas. The paper explores the history of the profession of district nursing, the definition of professional capital, political moves in cost savings, education and the influence of media on determining public perception, and how this may influence the play for professional and symbolic capital. It also discusses the politics of internal, external and wider fields of power at play when considering the decline in the number of district nurses. The author recommends making district nurse education a priority to improve quality of patient care in the community, reduce hospital admissions and expedite patient discharge.