critical discussion essay nursing

How to Write a Nursing Essay with a Quick Guide

Ever felt the blank-page panic when assigned a nursing essay? Wondering where to start or if your words will measure up to the weight of your experiences? Fear not, because today, we're here to guide you through this process.

Imagine you're at your favorite coffee spot, armed with a cup of motivation (and maybe a sneaky treat). Got it? Great! Now, let's spill the secrets on how to spin your nursing tales into words that not only get you that A+ but also tug at the heartstrings of anyone reading. We've got your back with nursing essay examples that'll be your inspiration, an outline to keep you on the right path, and more!

What Is a Nursing Essay

Let's start by dissecting the concept. A nursing essay serves as a focused exploration of a specific aspect of nursing, providing an opportunity for students to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and its practical application in patient care settings.

Picture it as a journey through the challenges and victories of a budding nurse. These essays go beyond the classroom, tackling everything from tricky ethical dilemmas to the impact of healthcare policies on the front lines. It's not just about grades; it's about proving, 'I'm ready for the real deal.'

So, when you read or write a nursing essay, it's not just words on paper. It's like looking into the world of someone who's about to start their nursing career – someone who's really thought about the ins and outs of being a nurse. And before you kick off your nursing career, don't shy away from asking - write my essay for me - we're ready to land a professional helping hand.

How to Start a Nursing Essay

When you start writing a nursing essay, it is like gearing up for a crucial mission. Here's your quick guide from our nursing essay writing service :

Choosing Your Topic: Select a topic that sparks your interest and relates to real-world nursing challenges. Consider areas like patient care, ethical dilemmas, or the impact of technology on healthcare.

Outline Your Route : Plan your essay's journey. Create a roadmap with key points you want to cover. This keeps you on track and your essay on point.

Craft a Strong Thesis: Assuming you already know how to write a hook , kick off your writing with a surprising fact, a thought-provoking quote, or a brief anecdote. Then, state your main argument or perspective in one sentence. This thesis will serve as the compass for your essay, guiding both you and your reader through the rest of your writing.

How to Structure a Nursing Essay

Every great essay is like a well-orchestrated performance – it needs a script, a narrative that flows seamlessly, capturing the audience's attention from start to finish. In our case, this script takes the form of a well-organized structure. Let's delve into the elements that teach you how to write a nursing essay, from a mere collection of words to a compelling journey of insights.

Nursing Essay Introduction

Begin your nursing essay with a spark. Knowing how to write essay introduction effectively means sharing a real-life scenario or a striking fact related to your topic. For instance, if exploring patient care, narrate a personal experience that made a lasting impression. Then, crisply state your thesis – a clear roadmap indicating the direction your essay will take. Think of it as a teaser that leaves the reader eager to explore the insights you're about to unfold.

In the main body, dive into the heart of your essay. Each paragraph should explore a specific aspect of your topic. Back your thoughts with examples – maybe a scenario from your clinical experience, a relevant case study, or findings from credible sources. Imagine it as a puzzle coming together; each paragraph adds a piece, forming a complete picture. Keep it focused and let each idea flow naturally into the next.

Nursing Essay Conclusion

As writing a nursing essay nears the end, resist the urge to introduce new elements. Summarize your main points concisely. Remind the reader of the real-world significance of your thesis – why it matters in the broader context of nursing. Conclude with a thought-provoking statement or a call to reflection, leaving your reader with a lasting impression. It's like the final scene of a movie that leaves you thinking long after the credits roll.

Nursing Essay Outline

Before diving into the essay, craft a roadmap – your outline. This isn't a rigid skeleton but a flexible guide that ensures your ideas flow logically. Consider the following template from our research paper writing service :

Introduction

• Opening Hook: Share a brief, impactful patient care scenario.
• Relevance Statement: Explain why the chosen topic is crucial in nursing.
• Thesis: Clearly state the main argument or perspective.

Patient-Centered Care:

• Definition: Clarify what patient-centered care means in nursing.
• Personal Experience: Share a relevant encounter from clinical practice.
• Evidence: Integrate findings from reputable nursing literature.

Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice

• Scenario Presentation: Describe a specific ethical challenge faced by nurses.
• Decision-Making Process: Outline steps taken to address the dilemma.
• Ethical Frameworks: Discuss any ethical theories guiding the decision.

Impact of Technology on Nursing

• Current Trends: Highlight technological advancements in nursing.
• Case Study: Share an example of technology enhancing patient care.
• Challenges and Benefits: Discuss the pros and cons of technology in nursing.
• Summary of Key Points: Recap the main ideas from each section.
• Real-world Implications: Emphasize the practical significance in nursing practice.
• Closing Thought: End with a reflective statement or call to action.

A+ in Nursing Essays Await You!

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Nursing Essay Examples

Here are the nursing Essay Examples for you to read.

Writing a Nursing Essay: Essential Tips

When it comes to crafting a stellar nursing essay, a few key strategies can elevate your work from ordinary to exceptional. Here are some valuable tips from our medical school personal statement writer :

Connect with Personal Experiences:

• Approach: Weave personal encounters seamlessly into your narrative.
• Reasoning: This not only adds authenticity to your essay but also serves as a powerful testament to your firsthand understanding of the challenges and triumphs in the nursing field.

Emphasize Critical Thinking:

• Approach: Go beyond describing situations; delve into their analysis.
• Reasoning: Nursing essays are the perfect platform to showcase your critical thinking skills – an essential attribute in making informed decisions in real-world healthcare scenarios.

Incorporate Patient Perspectives:

• Approach: Integrate patient stories or feedback into your discussion.
• Reasoning: By bringing in the human element, you demonstrate empathy and an understanding of the patient's experience, a core aspect of nursing care.

Integrate Evidence-Based Practice:

• Approach: Support your arguments with the latest evidence-based literature.
• Reasoning: Highlighting your commitment to staying informed and applying current research underscores your dedication to evidence-based practice – a cornerstone in modern nursing.

Address Ethical Considerations:

• Approach: Explicitly discuss the ethical dimensions of your topic.
• Reasoning: Nursing essays provide a platform to delve into the ethical complexities inherent in healthcare, showcasing your ability to navigate and analyze these challenges.

Balance Theory and Practice:

• Approach: Connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications.
• Reasoning: By bridging the gap between theory and practice, you illustrate your capacity to apply academic knowledge effectively in the dynamic realm of nursing.

Highlight Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Approach: Discuss collaborative efforts with other healthcare professionals.
• Reasoning: Acknowledging the interdisciplinary nature of healthcare underscores your understanding of the importance of teamwork – a vital aspect of successful nursing practice.

Reflect on Lessons Learned:

• Approach: Conclude with a thoughtful reflection on personal growth or lessons from your exploration.
• Reasoning: This not only provides a satisfying conclusion but also demonstrates your self-awareness and commitment to continuous improvement as a nursing professional.

As we wrap up, think of your essay as a story about your journey into nursing. It's not just about getting a grade; it's a way to share what you've been through and why you want to be a nurse.

Imagine the person reading it – maybe a teacher, a future coworker, or someone starting their nursing journey. They're trying to understand your passion and why you care about nursing.

So, when you write, remember it's more than just an assignment. It's your chance to show why nursing matters to you. And if you ever need help – there's always support from our essay writer online .

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How to Write a Nursing Essay?

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Academic writing: using literature to demonstrate critical analysis, kathleen duffy senior lecturer, school of nursing, midwifery and community health, glasgow caledonian university, glasgow, elizabeth hastie senior lecturer, school of nursing, midwifery and community health, glasgow caledonian university, glasgow, jacqueline mccallum senior lecturer, school of nursing, midwifery and community health, glasgow caledonian university, glasgow, valerie ness lecturer, school of nursing, midwifery and community health, glasgow caledonian university, glasgow, lesley price lecturer, school of nursing, midwifery and community health, glasgow caledonian university, glasgow.

When writing at degree level, nurses need to demonstrate an understanding of evidence by summarising its key elements and comparing and contrasting authors’ views. Critical analysis is an important nursing skill in writing and in practice. With the advent of an all-degree profession, understanding how to develop this skill is crucial. This article examines how students can develop critical analysis skills to write at undergraduate degree level. It highlights some of the common errors when writing at this academic level and provides advice on how to avoid such mistakes.

Nursing Standard . 23, 47, 35-40. doi: 10.7748/ns2009.07.23.47.35.c7201

[email protected]

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Critical appraisal - Education: methods - Literature and writing - Student nurses - Study skills

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29 July 2009 / Vol 23 issue 47

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Academic writing: what you need to know

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Critical practice in nursing care: analysis, action and reflexivity

Affiliation.

• 1 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin. [email protected]
• PMID: 16786927
• DOI: 10.7748/ns2006.06.20.39.49.c4172

This article examines critical practice and its underlying principles: analysis, action and reflexivity. Critical analysis involves the examination of knowledge that underpins practice. Critical action requires nurses to assess their skills and identify potential gaps in need of professional development. Critical reflexivity is personal analysis that involves challenging personal beliefs and assumptions to improve professional and personal practice. Incorporating these aspects into nursing can benefit nursing practice.

Publication types

• Attitude of Health Personnel*
• Clinical Competence*
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Health Policy
• Individuality
• Interprofessional Relations
• Negotiating
• Nurse's Role* / psychology
• Nursing Process / organization & administration*
• Nursing Research
• Nursing Theory
• Power, Psychological
• Self Efficacy
• Self-Assessment

• Help & FAQ

Academic writing: using literature to demonstrate critical analysis

Research output : Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• academic writing
• critical analysis
• nursing education

Documents and Links

• http://nursingstandard.rcnpublishing.co.uk/

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• Nursing Medicine & Life Sciences 100%
• Nurses Medicine & Life Sciences 87%
• Students Medicine & Life Sciences 84%

T1 - Academic writing: using literature to demonstrate critical analysis

AU - Duffy, Kathleen

AU - Hastie, Elizabeth

AU - McCallum, Jacqueline

AU - Ness, Val

AU - Price, Lesley

N1 - PDF available to download from publisher's website

PY - 2009/7

Y1 - 2009/7

N2 - When writing at degree level, nurses need to demonstrate an understanding of evidence by summarising its key elements and comparing and contrasting authors’ views. Critical analysis is an important nursing skill in writing and in practice. With the advent of an all-degree profession, understanding how to develop this skill is crucial. This article examines how students can develop critical analysis skills to write at undergraduate degree level.

AB - When writing at degree level, nurses need to demonstrate an understanding of evidence by summarising its key elements and comparing and contrasting authors’ views. Critical analysis is an important nursing skill in writing and in practice. With the advent of an all-degree profession, understanding how to develop this skill is crucial. This article examines how students can develop critical analysis skills to write at undergraduate degree level.

KW - academic writing

KW - literature

KW - critical analysis

KW - nursing education

M3 - Article

SN - 2047-9018

JO - Nursing Standard

JF - Nursing Standard

How to Critically Discuss

Many students dread writing ‘critical discussion’ essays. This is partly because they don’t understand what is required of them.

So, how do you ‘critically discuss’ in an essay? Well, first and foremost, make sure you’ve truly considered all sides of the argument. You also need to think carefully about whether the source(s) you are discussing are reliable and valid. Finally, you need to develop a ‘thesis statement’ so that you can structure your critical discussion essay effectively.

Critical discussion essays can cause headaches, but they can also be incredibly rewarding if you approach them with the right attitude. Here are some tips to set you off in the right direction!

What does ‘critically discuss’ actually mean?

Before attempting a critical discussion, check you understand what is required of you. Let’s turn to the Oxford English Dictionary for a useful definition.

So, in short, a critical discussion requires you to weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of a theory, concept (or work of some sort), and write about this in detail – taking into account various relevant issues and viewpoints.

I would go one step further and say that to ‘critically discuss’, you should also emphasise the significance of your critiques. In other words, why does your critical opinion matter? (more on this later).

What critical discussion is NOT…

Before moving on to show you how to write a critical discussion, let’s take a look at what a ‘critical discussion’ is NOT:

Pure negativity – Some students fall into the trap of thinking that critical discussion requires you to be excessively negative. Whilst you should consider the weaknesses of a theory or argument, you should also consider its strengths and/or new applications.

A repetition of others’ critiques – Whilst you can (and typically should) use other theorists’ critiques to support your essay, you should also try to say something original in your critical discussion. Don’t only repeat other people’s ideas.

Describing – Remember, you are not only being asked to describe a particular work of art/literature/science. Part of your essay will probably include description, as you set the scene, but you must include a critical opinion of the theory, concept or work you are discussing.

Quick and Easy – Unfortunately, writing a critical discussion is not a straightforward task. You should give yourself plenty of time to read the material, digest it, reflect upon it, critique it, and then formulate an argument for your essay.

An example of critical discussion

Learning from examples is often the best way. So, here is an excerpt from an essay which critically discusses whether pay-for-performance schemes motivate employees – written by one of our PhD Experts:

Theory X states that, because employees are primarily motivated by pay, a pay-for-performance system will be motivational (McGregor, 1960). However, this theory was not supported by empirical data, thus its validity is questionable. Moreover, up-to-date research suggests that employees are not primarily motivated by pay, but are instead motivated by intrinsic factors (e.g., flexible working hours, autonomy, and creating impactful work) (Kaleb, 2015). This undermines the suggestion that pay-for-performance would be motivating. Indeed, further research has found that pay-for-performance can actually “crowd out” intrinsic motivators, since it overly monetises the employer-employee relationship, thereby resulting in poorer motivation (David, 2018). There is more empirical research to support the more recent findings than theory X, thus, it seems pay-for-performance schemes are unlikely to motivate employees.

Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of this critical discussion so that you can try to replicate it for yourself.  

Compare two (or more) theories

Notice how this single paragraph contains three references to three different theories. In order to critically discuss competently, you will need to be able to compare and contrast different theories and perspectives. This is one of the reasons why critical discussion essays are time-consuming, i.e., because you need to spend time researching material to cover both sides of the argument.

Critique the methodologies

Notice how the above paragraph has critiqued the validity/reliability of the research mentioned. Namely, theory X was criticised for having a lack of empirical (experimental) evidence to support it, whereas the later theories were deemed more valid because there is quite a lot of empirical research to support them.

Depending on what subject you are studying at university, you might need to critique the methods in more depth (e.g., consider sample size, procedure, method of data analysis, etc.).

Keep your thesis statement (or argument) in mind at all times

Remember we said that you need to emphasise why your critiques matter? This is key because it will help you to achieve first-class grades. Let’s dive a little deeper into what I mean by this…

Before writing your essay, think of a thesis statement . In the above case, it would be ‘pay-for-performance does not boost employee motivation’. Now, when you are critically discussing your evidence (and comparing and contrasting theories), be sure to finish each paragraph by returning to the thesis statement.

In other words, be sure to emphasise why each point of critique is significant for your argument. You will notice, for example, that the above paragraph finishes by stating that ‘thus, it seems pay-for-performance schemes are unlikely to motivate employees’.

So, sticking to your thesis statement will allow you to consistently emphasise why your critical points are relevant and significant. If you can do this then, say hello to first-class grades!

Tips for writing a critical discussion

Critical discussions aren’t easy, but if you approach them in the right way, you can make things simpler for yourself.

In fact, our writers say that critical discussion essays are the most enjoyable to write because they are stimulating and challenging.

That said, try out these tips when preparing for your next critical discussion essay (and hopefully you won’t find it such a painful process!).

Start reading ASAP

When preparing for a critical discussion essay, it’s easy to fall into the trap of procrastination. There’s so much to read, yet so little time (or energy) to do the reading, right?

Well, try not to fall into this trap. Choose the texts/theories that interest you the most and try your best to really engross yourself in them. If you can become truly engaged in the research you’re reading, your energy and enthusiasm will ‘flow’ naturally.

Play devil’s advocate

One hurdle often faced by students is that they agree with everything a particular theorist is saying, and thus they don’t feel confident in critiquing the theory. In this case, it’s time to play devil’s advocate.

What does this mean? Well, to play devil’s advocate means to adopt the opposing side of the argument, even if you don’t agree with it, in order to make the discussion more interesting.

So, let’s say you are completely against animal testing, and you agree with Peter Singer’s theories (which are also against animal testing). However, for the purposes of writing a good critical discussion, you should be willing to engage with the opposing side of the argument.

Imagine, for a moment, that you are ‘for’ animal testing. What reasoning would you use? And how could this reasoning be used to discredit Peter Singer’s theory?

Plan, Plan, Plan

It’s best to make at least a rough plan of your critical discussion essay before you begin. As mentioned, your critique should be tied to a broader ‘thesis statement’ so consider this thesis statement when planning your essay.

Each paragraph should make a broad point that relates back to your thesis statement. Remember to use signposting to link back to the thesis statement and help keep your reader on track.

The final tip is the most important tip of all – be bold. To earn first-class grades, you need to demonstrate an ability to think independently and critically about a specific topic.

This means you must be willing to say what you really think and not just parrot another person’s argument. Indeed, the opportunity to ‘be bold’ demonstrates why critical discussion essays are so enjoyable to write.

So, next time you are tasked with writing a critical discussion essay, see it as an opportunity to be bold, confident, and creative! Though it might be quite a time-consuming task, you’ll certainly feel satisfied once you’ve got your argument down on paper.

You may also like

Nursing Debate Topics: The Importance of Discussing and Debating Nursing Issues

This article was written in collaboration with Christine T. and ChatGPT, our little helper developed by OpenAI.

As healthcare continues to evolve, nursing debate topics have become increasingly important. Nurses have to make tough decisions every day, and discussing these topics can provide guidance and support. In this article, we will explore some of the nursing debate topics that are being discussed and debated by the nursing community.

Certification and Education

One of the ongoing debates in nursing is the benefits of obtaining certification in specialty areas such as wound care , oncology, or palliative care . Nurses who obtain certification in these areas are better equipped to provide better patient care. Another debate is about requiring nurses to obtain a master’s degree in nursing before practicing as a nurse practitioner. Advocates argue that a master’s degree better prepare nurses for the complexities of the role. Additionally, requiring certification in basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) can help improve patient outcomes.

Debate Topics on Certification and Education in Nursing:

• Are certification exams a reliable measure of nurses’ competency in specialty areas?
• Should continuing education be mandatory for all nurses to maintain licensure?
• Should certification be required for nurses who administer chemotherapy?
• Is it necessary for nurses to obtain certification in wound care?
• Should nurses be required to obtain certification in critical care before working in an ICU?
• Should nurses be required to obtain certification in geriatric care before working in a nursing home?
• Is certification in oncology nursing necessary to provide quality care to cancer patients?
• Should certification in palliative care be required for hospice and end-of-life care nurses?
• Should nurses be required to obtain certification in pediatric care before working in a pediatric unit?
• Should certification in pain management be required for nurses who administer pain medication?
• Should nurses be required to obtain certification in mental health before working in a psychiatric unit?
• Should certification in infection control be mandatory for all nurses?
• Is certification in IV therapy necessary for all nurses?
• Should certification in neonatal care be required for nurses who work in a neonatal ICU?
• Should certification in cardiac care be required for nurses who work in a cardiac ICU?
• Should nurses be required to obtain certification in public health nursing?
• Government responsibility in balancing public and private healthcare
• Is certification in occupational health nursing necessary?
• Should certification in forensic nursing be required for nurses who work in a correctional facility?
• Should certification in emergency nursing be required for nurses who work in an emergency department?
• Should certification in hospice and palliative care nursing be required for nurses who work in a hospice facility?
• Should nurses be required to obtain certification in informatics before working in an electronic health record (EHR) system?
• Should certification in nursing administration be required for nurse managers?
• Should certification in nursing education be required for nurse educators?
• Should nurses be required to obtain certification in case of management before working in a case management role?
• Should certification in rehabilitation nursing be required for nurses who work in a rehabilitation center?
• Should certification in diabetes nursing be required for nurses who work with diabetic patients?
• Should certification in home health nursing be required for nurses who provide home health care?
• Should certification in community health nursing be required for nurses who work in community health settings?
• Should certification in nursing informatics be required for nurses who work in telehealth?
• Should certification in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing be required for nurses who work with patients with chronic wounds?
• Should certification in gastroenterology nursing be required for nurses who work in a gastroenterology unit?
• Should certification in orthopedic nursing be required for nurses who work in an orthopedic unit?
• Should certification in perianesthesia nursing be required for nurses who work in a post-anesthesia care unit?
• Should certification in transplant nursing be required for nurses who work with transplant patients?
• Should certification in urologic nursing be required for nurses who work in a urology unit?
• Should certification in dermatology nursing be required for nurses who work with patients with skin conditions?
• Healthcare management: career paths and requirements
• Should certification in oncology nursing be required for nurses who work with patients receiving chemotherapy?
• Should certification in rheumatology nursing be required for nurses who work with patients with rheumatic conditions?
• Should certification in infectious disease nursing be required for nurses who work with patients with infectious diseases?
• Should certification in plastic surgery nursing be required for nurses who work with plastic surgery patients?

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Scope of Practice

Nursing scope of practice is another area of debate. One of the debates is whether to allow nurses to perform certain surgical procedures without physician supervision. Advocates argue that this would improve patient access to care and reduce costs. Another debate is whether to allow nurses to prescribe and administer medical cannabis. Advocates argue that this would provide patients with alternative treatments for chronic pain, anxiety, and other conditions. Additionally, allowing nurses to assist with physician-assisted suicide is a controversial debate.

Exploring the Boundaries: Controversial Issues in Nursing Scope of Practice

• Is it appropriate for nurses to delegate certain tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel?
• Should advanced practice registered nurses be allowed to practice independently without physician oversight?
• Is it within a nurse’s scope of practice to prescribe medication?
• Should registered nurses be allowed to perform certain medical procedures, such as intubation?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to provide mental health counseling to patients?
• Should nurses be allowed to initiate treatment plans without a physician’s order?
• The debate over nurse practitioners operating independent clinics
• The role of nurses in prescribing medications: Overstepping boundaries?
• Should nurses be trained in minor surgical procedures?
• The debate over nurses providing anesthesia without doctor supervision
• The pros and cons of expanding the scope of practice for nurse midwives
• Is it appropriate for nurses to diagnose certain medical conditions?
• Should registered nurses be allowed to perform certain surgical procedures, such as wound debridement?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to administer anesthesia?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain radiologic procedures, such as taking x-rays?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to provide palliative sedation to patients?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain diagnostic procedures, such as ultrasound?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform end-of-life care tasks, such as pronouncing death?
• Should nurses be allowed to prescribe medical marijuana for certain conditions?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain complementary and alternative medicine therapies, such as acupuncture?
• Should nurses be allowed to participate in assisted suicide procedures?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain reproductive health procedures, such as intrauterine device insertion?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain cosmetic procedures, such as Botox injections?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain infectious disease control procedures, such as isolation orders?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain genetic testing procedures?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain therapeutic procedures, such as physical therapy?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain invasive procedures, such as lumbar punctures?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain diagnostic imaging procedures, such as MRI scans?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain mental health assessments, such as suicide risk assessments?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain pediatric procedures, such as circumcision?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain procedures related to sexual health, such as Pap smears?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain emergency medical procedures, such as chest tube placement?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain medical procedures, such as colonoscopies?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain cardiac procedures, such as defibrillation?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain respiratory procedures, such as mechanical ventilation?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain procedures related to substance abuse treatment, such as medication-assisted treatment?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain ophthalmologic procedures, such as eye exams?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain procedures related to sleep medicine, such as sleep studies?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain gastroenterological procedures, such as endoscopy?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain procedures related to pain management, such as nerve blocks?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain procedures related to occupational health, such as hearing tests?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain procedures related to addiction treatment, such as suboxone administration?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain procedures related to neurology, such as lumbar punctures?
• Is it appropriate for nurses to perform certain procedures related to cardiology, such as echocardiograms?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain procedures related to dermatology, such as skin biopsies?

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations are vital in nursing debate topics. One of the debates is whether nurses should participate in medical assistance in dying (MAID). Advocates argue that nurses should be allowed to participate in MAID because it is part of their role in providing patient-centered care. Another debate is whether nurses should be allowed to refuse care to patients who exhibit violent or aggressive behavior. Advocates argue that nurses should be allowed to refuse care to protect themselves and other patients. Additionally, allowing nurses to administer medical cannabis raises ethical concerns.

Exploring Controversial Ethical Issues: Debating Topics and Perspectives

• Is it ethical to use animals for scientific experimentation?
• Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports be allowed?
• Should parents be allowed to choose the genetic traits of their future children?
• Should medical professionals be allowed to refuse treatment based on personal beliefs?
• Is it ethical to use genetic engineering to create “designer babies”?
• Should assisted suicide be legalized for terminally ill patients?
• Should individuals be allowed to sell their organs for transplant?
• Should healthcare be considered a basic human right?
• Comparing faith practices in healthcare: Sikhism, Judaism, Bahaism, and Christianity
• Is it ethical to use social media data for psychological research?
• The ethical implications of nurses participating in assisted suicide
• Debate over nurses’ right to conscientiously object to certain medical procedures
• The ethical challenges of nursing care in correctional facilities
• Nurses’ role in advocating for patient rights vs. hospital policies
• The debate over mandatory vaccinations for nurses
• Should there be limits on how much information tech companies can collect about individuals?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Is it ethical for companies to use sweatshop labor?
• Should individuals be allowed to choose their own gender identity?
• Should there be limits on the use of artificial intelligence in military operations?
• Is it ethical to use AI algorithms to make decisions that affect people’s lives?
• Should doctors be allowed to prescribe placebos without informing the patient?
• Should pharmaceutical companies be allowed to charge exorbitant prices for life-saving drugs?
• Is it ethical to use drones for targeted killings?
• Should individuals be allowed to use deadly force in self-defense?
• Should countries be allowed to use torture as a means of obtaining information from suspected terrorists?
• Should whistleblowers be protected from legal action for revealing confidential information?
• Is it ethical to use big data to predict and prevent crimes?
• Should countries be allowed to conduct surveillance on their citizens in the interest of national security?
• Should genetic testing be mandatory for certain diseases?
• Should individuals be allowed to own exotic animals as pets?
• Should individuals be allowed to sell their own data to companies?
• Should individuals have the right to refuse medical treatment on religious grounds?
• Should medical professionals be allowed to disclose confidential patient information in certain circumstances?
• Is it ethical to use data mining techniques to target advertising to specific demographics?
• Should parents be allowed to refuse medical treatment for their children on religious grounds?
• Should medical professionals be allowed to conduct research on their own patients?
• Should individuals be allowed to sue for emotional damages?
• Is it ethical to use autonomous weapons systems in warfare?
• Should companies be held liable for the actions of their autonomous robots?
• Should individuals be allowed to modify their own genes for non-medical reasons?
• Should individuals be allowed to opt out of vaccinations for personal or religious beliefs?
• Should there be limits on the use of gene editing technology for animals?
• Should individuals be allowed to opt out of certain medical procedures for personal or religious beliefs?
• Should medical professionals be allowed to refuse to provide care to patients who have made lifestyle choices they disagree with?
• Should individuals be allowed to refuse medical treatment for mental illness on religious grounds?

Patient Care

Patient care is a crucial aspect of nursing. One of the debates is maintaining minimum staffing ratios for registered nurses in nursing homes. Advocates argue that this would improve patient outcomes and reduce errors. Another debate is about providing care for patients with different cultural beliefs and practices. Advocates argue that nurses need to be aware of cultural differences to provide culturally sensitive care. Additionally, administering medications through non-traditional routes, such as intranasal or transdermal, is a topic of debate.

Exploring Controversies in Patient Care: Topics Up for Debate

• Is it ethical to deny medical treatment to undocumented immigrants?
• Should patients have the right to refuse life-saving medical treatment?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to use restraints on patients who are a danger to themselves or others?
• Euthanasia: an analysis of utilitarian approach
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to administer involuntary psychiatric treatment to patients who are a danger to themselves or others?
• Should healthcare providers be required to provide care to patients with communicable diseases even if they have personal objections?
• Should patients have the right to assisted suicide or euthanasia?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to refuse to provide care to patients based on personal or religious beliefs?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to disclose a patient’s medical information without their consent in emergency situations?
• The debate over rationing care in resource-limited settings
• The ethical challenges of providing care to non-compliant patients
• The pros and cons of alternative medicine in nursing care
• Debate over the use of restraints in patient care
• The challenges of providing care to patients with controversial lifestyles
• Should healthcare providers be required to disclose medical errors to patients and their families?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to engage in romantic or sexual relationships with their patients?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to perform unnecessary medical procedures for financial gain?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to withhold treatment from patients who are noncompliant with their medical advice?
• Combating health care-associated infections: a community-based approach
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to prescribe opioids for chronic pain management?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to use placebos in medical treatment?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to participate in medical research without informed consent from patients?
• Should healthcare providers be required to provide culturally competent care to patients from diverse backgrounds?
• Should patients have access to alternative and complementary medicine treatments?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to deny care to patients who engage in risky behaviors, such as smoking or drinking alcohol?
• Should healthcare providers be required to provide interpreters for patients who do not speak the same language as their healthcare provider?
• Should healthcare providers be required to provide care to patients regardless of their ability to pay?
• Should patients be allowed to sue their healthcare providers for medical malpractice?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to provide medical treatment to minors without parental consent?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to use physical restraints on patients with dementia or other cognitive impairments?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to participate in lethal injection executions?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to prescribe medical marijuana to patients?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to provide medical treatment to patients against their religious beliefs?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to use genetic testing to diagnose medical conditions in patients without their consent?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to use telemedicine to diagnose and treat patients remotely?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to prescribe off-label medication use?
• Should healthcare providers be required to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to refuse to provide care to patients who are overweight or obese?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to use restraints on patients with developmental disabilities?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to provide medical treatment to prisoners?
• Should healthcare providers be required to provide palliative care to patients with terminal illnesses?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to refuse to provide care to patients with mental health conditions?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to use mechanical ventilation on patients who are brain-dead?
• Should healthcare providers be required to report suspected cases of elder abuse or neglect?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to prescribe medication for conditions that do not have FDA approval?
• Should healthcare providers be required to provide patients with complete and accurate medical information?
• Should healthcare providers be allowed to participate in clinical trials without informed consent from patients?

Nursing Workforce

The nursing workforce is another area of debate. One of the debates is preventing nurse burnout and fatigue resulting from working 12-hour shifts. Advocates argue that this would improve the working environment for nurses and provide better care for patients. Another debate is requiring nurses to undergo regular mental health evaluations. Advocates argue that this would help identify mental health issues early and provide appropriate treatment. Additionally, allowing nurses to refuse care to patients with a history of substance abuse or addiction is a topic of debate.

Debate Topics for Nursing Workforce

• What impact does the nursing shortage have on patient care?
• Is mandatory overtime ethical for nurses?
• Should there be a minimum staffing ratio for nurses in healthcare facilities?
• Should nurse practitioners be allowed to practice independently without physician oversight?
• Should nurse practitioners be allowed to prescribe controlled substances?
• Should foreign-trained nurses be allowed to work in the US without additional certification?
• Should nurses be allowed to unionize?
• Should nurses be required to have a BSN degree to practice?
• Should nurses be required to complete a residency program after graduation?
• Is it ethical to require nurses to work rotating shifts?
• Should nurses be allowed to refuse to care for certain patients based on personal beliefs?
• Should nurses be required to take on-call shifts?
• Should nurses be required to work holidays?
• Should nurses be allowed to work remotely?
• Should there be a minimum wage for nurses?
• Should nursing programs be required to teach cultural competency?
• Should nurses be allowed to self-schedule their shifts?
• Should nurses be required to work a certain number of hours per week?
• Should nurses be required to complete continuing education to maintain their license?
• Workplace violence in healthcare: causes, regulations, and prevention strategies
• Should there be a cap on the number of patients a nurse can care for at one time?
• Should nurses be allowed to refuse to work in certain specialties?
• Should nurses be allowed to refuse to perform certain tasks?
• The debate over mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals
• The impact of unionization on the nursing profession
• The challenges and benefits of travel nursing
• Debate over the role of nurse managers vs. bedside nurses
• The future of nursing in the era of AI and automation
• Should nursing schools be required to teach about the social determinants of health?
• Should there be a standard nurse-to-patient ratio for home health care?
• Should nurses be required to complete a certain number of clinical hours before graduation?
• Should nurses be allowed to perform certain medical procedures without physician supervision?
• Should nurses be allowed to administer anesthesia?
• Should nursing programs be required to teach about environmental health?
• Should nurses be required to have a certain amount of experience before working in certain specialties?
• Combating workplace violence in nursing: the impact of policies, legislation, and organizational culture
• Should nurses be required to undergo periodic drug testing?
• Should nurses be allowed to work while pregnant?
• Should nursing programs be required to teach about disaster preparedness?
• Should nurses be allowed to refuse to work during a pandemic?
• Should nurses be allowed to refuse to work in unsafe conditions?
• Should nurses be required to wear body cameras to prevent workplace violence?
• Should nurses be allowed to refuse to work in facilities that do not have adequate PPE?
• Should nursing programs be required to teach about healthcare policy?
• Should nurses be allowed to refuse to administer experimental treatments?
• Should nurses be required to have a certain amount of experience before working as a charge nurse?
• Should nurses be allowed to refuse to work in facilities that do not provide mental health support?

Harnessing the Power of Debate in Nursing Education

The art of debate is not just for politicians or lawyers. For nursing students and professionals, engaging in structured, informed debates can offer a multitude of benefits. Debates foster critical thinking, enhance communication skills, and expose participants to diverse perspectives, all of which are crucial in the dynamic world of healthcare.

Why Debates Matter in Nursing Education

• Critical Thinking

Debating allows nursing students to analyze complex issues, evaluate evidence, and construct well-informed arguments. This skill is vital when making split-second decisions in clinical settings.

• Effective Communication

Through debates, students learn to articulate their points clearly and persuasively, a skill essential for patient education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advocacy.

• Ethical Reasoning

Many debates in nursing revolve around ethical dilemmas. Engaging in these discussions helps students navigate the gray areas of healthcare, ensuring they provide care that aligns with their professional and personal values.

• Exposure to Diverse Perspectives

Debates bring to light varied viewpoints, helping students appreciate the diversity of thought in healthcare. This exposure prepares them to provide culturally competent care and collaborate effectively with a diverse team.

Tips for Effective Debating in Nursing:

• Stay Informed

The foundation of a compelling argument is knowledge. Regularly review the latest research, guidelines, and best practices in nursing.

• Practice Active Listening

Before rebutting an argument, ensure you understand it. Active listening promotes mutual respect and often leads to more productive discussions.

• Be Open-minded

While it’s essential to defend your position, remain open to changing your perspective based on new information or insights. Flexibility in thinking is a valuable trait in healthcare, where evidence and best practices continuously evolve.

• Structure Your Argument

A well-structured argument is more persuasive. Start with your main point, provide evidence or examples, and conclude with a summary or implication of your argument.

• Stay Calm and Respectful

Debates can become heated, especially when discussing deeply personal or controversial topics. It’s crucial to maintain professionalism, respect opposing views, and avoid personal attacks.

Benefits of Integrating Debates into Nursing Curriculum

Incorporating debates into the nursing curriculum can provide students with a platform to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios. Here are some advantages:

• Enhanced Engagement

Debates are interactive and dynamic, leading to increased student participation and engagement.

• Skill Development

Apart from critical thinking and communication, debates also foster skills like research, teamwork, and public speaking.

• Preparation for Real-world Scenarios

The topics debated often mirror real-world challenges in healthcare. Engaging in these discussions prepares students for the complexities they’ll face in their careers.

• Promotion of Lifelong Learning

Debates often spark curiosity, leading students to delve deeper into topics, read more, and become lifelong learners.

In conclusion, debates are more than just academic exercises. They’re powerful tools that hone essential skills, promote critical thinking, and prepare nursing students for the multifaceted world of healthcare. As the nursing field continues to evolve, fostering a culture of discussion and debate will ensure that nurses remain at the forefront of patient care, advocating for best practices and optimal patient outcomes.

📎 Related Articles

1. Key EBP Nursing Topics: Enhancing Patient Results through Evidence-Based Practice 2. Top Nursing Research Topics for Students and Professionals 3. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics: Inspiring Ideas for Students 4. Top Nursing Argumentative Essay Topics: Engage in Thought-Provoking Debates 5. Top Nursing Topics for Discussion: Engaging Conversations for Healthcare Professionals 6. Exploring Controversial Issues in Nursing: Key Topics and Examples 7. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics for Students: A Comprehensive Guide 8. Top Nursing Research Topics for Students and Professionals

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Ethical Implications of the John Money Experiment: a Critical Analysis

This essay about the ethical implications of the John Money experiment critically examines the tragic case of David Reimer, who was raised as a girl following a failed circumcision and subsequent medical advice. It discusses issues of informed consent, the harm caused by unethical medical practices, and the misuse of authority in clinical research. The text highlights the severe psychological impact on Reimer and critiques the ethical lapses in handling his case, emphasizing the need for compassion and strict ethical standards in medical practices and research.

How it works

The story of the John Money experiment is a cautionary tale of the interplay between medical ethics and the complexities of gender identity.

This episode in the history of psychology and medical science revolves around the tragic case of David Reimer, originally born as Bruce Reimer, who was raised as a girl following catastrophic medical advice and treatment initiated by Dr. John Money. The ethical implications of this case are profound, impacting notions of consent, the responsibilities of healthcare professionals, and the psychosocial dynamics of gender identity.

In 1965, Canadian twin boys, Bruce and Brian Reimer, were born healthy. However, during a routine circumcision, Bruce’s penis was irreparably damaged. Dr. Money, a psychologist and sexologist who advocated for the theory that gender identity is primarily learned through social and environmental cues rather than biological, inherited traits, advised the distraught parents to raise Bruce as a girl. Consequently, Bruce was renamed Brenda, surgically altered, and raised as a female. This case presented Money with a unique opportunity to further his research and theories on gender identity and fluidity.

From an ethical standpoint, the first major issue was the lack of informed consent. Although the Reimers were desperate for a solution, they were arguably not fully informed of the potential risks and the experimental nature of the treatment proposed. Money’s assurance of success was based on theoretical assumptions rather than concrete evidence. The principle of informed consent is critical in medical ethics, ensuring that patients or, in the case of minors, their guardians, are fully aware of all potential risks and outcomes associated with a medical intervention. The Reimers’ decision was influenced heavily by Money’s authority and the promise of a normal life for their child, which clouds the authenticity of their consent.

Secondly, the experiment underscores the ethical responsibility of healthcare professionals to avoid harm—primum non nocere (first, do no harm). Money’s experiment, though initially seeming to show Brenda adapting well, eventually resulted in severe psychological distress and confusion for her as she grew. The dissonance between Brenda’s biological sex and imposed gender identity led to significant behavioral and emotional issues, which Money reported misleadingly to support his hypothesis. This manipulation of data for theoretical validation, rather than patient welfare, starkly contravenes medical ethics.

Moreover, the experiment raises critical questions about the ethical treatment of children in medical research. Children are a vulnerable population, and any medical intervention, especially those involving identity and psychological wellbeing, must be approached with extreme caution and ethical rigor. Money’s continuation of the experiment, despite evident adverse effects on Brenda’s mental health, highlights a grievous ethical lapse—the prioritization of research outcomes over the patient’s wellbeing.

The psychological toll on David Reimer (who reassumed his male identity in adolescence after learning the truth of his medical history) was immense. He suffered long-term consequences, including depression and identity struggles, ultimately leading to his tragic suicide at the age of 38. This outcome serves as a potent reminder of the ethical responsibility towards long-term welfare in medical decision-making, particularly in cases involving non-urgent, non-life-threatening conditions.

Analyzing this case through the lens of virtue ethics, which emphasizes the moral character of the practitioner rather than the ethicality of an act, presents an additional dimension of critique. The virtues of empathy, humility, and integrity, essential for ethical medical practice, were conspicuously lacking in Money’s handling of the Reimer case. His determination to prove a theory seemingly took precedence over the humane treatment of Brenda/David.

In conclusion, the John Money experiment with David Reimer exposes profound ethical violations, highlighting the necessity for rigorous ethical standards in medical and psychological research. This case study is a critical reminder of the potential human cost when ethical boundaries are overlooked in the pursuit of scientific advancement. It underscores the enduring need for compassion, rigorous adherence to informed consent, and the prioritization of individual welfare in all medical practices. This tragic narrative invites ongoing discourse on medical ethics, reinforcing the imperative to safeguard the most vulnerable among us from experimental practices devoid of empirical validation and ethical integrity.

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Ethical Implications of the John Money Experiment: A Critical Analysis. (2024, May 12). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/ethical-implications-of-the-john-money-experiment-a-critical-analysis/

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Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Literature › Analysis of Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago

Analysis of Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on July 13, 2020 • ( 0 )

Considered by many the greatest Russian novel of the 20th century, Boris Pasternak’s (1890-1960) Doctor Zhivago is certainly the most famous fictional treatment of the defining moments of modern Russian history at the outset of the 20th century, inviting a comparison with Tolstoy ’s similar effort in War and Peace to dramatize the crucial events of the Napoleonic era. Doctor Zhivago shares with War and Peace an epic tonality; both attempt to encapsulate a national history, culture, and philosophy of human nature and experience in the stories of individuals caught up in the maelstrom of history. Depicting pre-revolutionary Russian culture, the revolution, and the ensuing civil war from a decidedly subjective viewpoint, Doctor Zhivago broke with the enforced literary dictates of socialist realism and party doctrine at a time when such a challenge demanded enormous courage and conviction. “A miracle of non-conformity,” the Russian scholar Victor Frank has called Pasternak’s novel, “full of supreme indifference to all the offi cial taboos.” Refused publication in the Soviet Union, the novel was surreptitiously sent to an Italian publisher who brought it out in 1957, with an English translation appearing in 1958. Hailed by the critic Edmund Wilson as “one of the great events in man’s literary and moral history . . . a great act of faith in art and the human spirit,” Doctor Zhivago became a worldwide popular and critical sensation that culminated in Pasternak being awarded the 1958 Nobel Prize in literature “for his notable achievement in both contemporary poetry and the field of the great Russian narrative tradition.” Regarded by the Soviet state as a political rather than a literary judgment on behalf of a novel it considered unpatriotic and subversive, Doctor Zhivago provoked a barrage of hostile reviews and resolutions in Russia that branded it “literary trash” and a “malicious lampoon of the socialist revolution.” Pasternak was expelled from the Writers’ Union and condemned as “worse than a pig” because “a pig never befouls where it eats or sleeps.” Pasternak’s deportation from the Soviet Union was averted only by the writer’s refusal of the Nobel Prize and by his impassioned appeal to Nikita Khrushchev in which Pasternak equated banishment from Russia to a death sentence. Doctor Zhivago would not be officially published in Russia until 1988 to great acclaim and acceptance into the post-Soviet literary canon as a landmark and unavoidable masterpiece.

Despite its undisputed importance as a social document chronicling a crucial period in Russian and world history, Doctor Zhivago continues to divide critics at the most basic level of how it works, its affinity to the novel tradition in the 19th and 20th centuries, and even the genre to which it belongs. Described as both one of the greatest political novels and one of literature’s great love stories, Doctor Zhivago has also been called “a fairy tale,” “a kind of morality play,” “an apocalyptic poem in the form of a novel,” “one of the most original works of modern times,” and “a nineteenth-century novel by a twentieth-century poet.” Compared to predecessors like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky in the great 19th-century Russian realistic novel tradition, Pasternak has been found wanting in his failure to provide believable, rounded characters. Compared to modernist innovators like Joyce, Woolf, and Faulkner, he has been viewed as old-fashioned and outmoded. To appreciate fully Pasternak’s achievement in Doctor Zhivago, it is necessary to recognize that its nonconformity extends beyond its unorthodox and unsanctioned ideas to its formal challenges to established narrative assumptions. Doctor Zhivago is neither a failed 19th-century nor a disappointing modernist novel, but a radical syn-thesis of both traditions in a daringly original construct.

Aspects of Pasternak’s life and career provide crucial contexts for his single novel published three years before his death. Born in Moscow in 1890, Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was the eldest child of the painter Leonid Pasternak and the concert pianist Rosa Kaufman and was raised in the midst of Moscow’s intellectual and artistic community. Tolstoy was a household visitor, and the distinguished composer Alexander Scarabin encouraged the 14-year-old Pasternak in his study of music. Convinced that he lacked the necessary technical skills, at age 19, Pasternak abandoned music for poetry and philosophy, eventually enrolling in Germany’s prestigious Marburg University until 1912 when he returned to Russia and committed himself exclusively to poetry. Associated with the Russian symbolist and futurist movements, Pasternak began to gain a reputation as a leading figure of a new generation of Russian poets who sought a greater freedom of poetic subjects and expression, more closely tied to actual experience and colloquial language. Declared exempt from military service during World War I because of a childhood leg injury, Pasternak managed a draft board in the Urals. When the revolution came, Pasternak was largely sympathetic, embracing the promise of needed social reform and liberation of the spirit that his poetry advocated. As the new Soviet regime grew increasingly conservative in cultural matters and repressive in silencing dissent, Pasternak, throughout the 1930s, published little, perfecting the delicate art of survival under Stalin, of maintaining core principles while avoiding the fate of fellow writers and artistic colleagues who faced death sentences and banishment to labor camps. Convinced that the Soviet state had betrayed the ideals of the revolution and that the drive for collectivism in Soviet society violated essential imperatives of human nature, sometime during the 1930s Pasternak decided to turn from poetry to prose to tell the story of his generation and its historical fate under the czar, during the Great War, and through the revolution and the establishment of the communist state, in part as an expression of survivor’s guilt. Writing in 1948, Pasternak admitted, “I am guilty before everyone. But what can I do? So here in the novel—it is part of this debt, proof that at least I tried.” Drawing on his earlier interests in musical composition, philosophy, and a career devoted to poetry, Pasternak conceived a novel capacious enough to contain his “views on art, the Gospels, human life in history and many other things.” Rejecting the “idiotic clichés” of socialist realism and an edited, sanitized view of the revolution and its aftermath, Pasternak embraced the role as truth teller in which “Everything is untangled, everything is named, simple, transparent, sad. Once again, afresh, in a new way, the most precious and important things, the earth and the sky, great warm feeling, the spirit of creation, life and death, have been delineated.” Doctor Zhivago began to take final shape during the late 1940s as Pasternak faced increasing government hostility for his “anti-Soviet” views. To punish him indirectly, Pasternak’s mistress, Olga Vsevolodovna Ivinskaia, was arrested in 1949 and sentenced to five years in a hard-labor camp “for close contact with persons suspected of espionage.” Pasternak would later confess that Olga was the Lara of his novel, which was finally completed in early 1956.

Pasternak’s comments about his work in his letters reveal key points about his intentions and methods for Doctor Zhivago. Throughout his correspondence, Pasternak refers to his “novel in prose,” a nod to Pushkin’s “novel in verse,” Eugene Onegin , and a connection to Pasternak’s following the same literary trajectory of Russia’s literary fountainhead, Pushkin, from poetry to prose. Regarding his poetry as preparatory work and incapable of supporting his historical and philosophical aspirations, Pasternak claimed, “a poem is to prose as a sketch is to a painting.” Yet at the core of Doctor Zhivago is Pasternak’s insistent lyricism in which narrative elements are joined through imagery, counterpoint, and symbolism. Pasternak’s poetic method explains why Doctor Zhivago, measured against the standard of the realistic novel, often falls short. Characters, rather than appearing distinct and original, tend to merge together, expressing shared preoccupations and feelings. Defending himself against charges of “not sufficient tracing of characters,” Pasternak insisted that “more than to delineate them I tried to efface them.” To the charge of the novel’s many violations of probability with coincidence, Pasternak claimed, “Realism of genre and language doesn’t interest me. That’s not what I value. In the novel there is a grandeur of another kind.” Underlying the novel’s blending of elements from poetry and prose and a manipulation of events that lends a fairy tale or providential aura to the book is Pasternak’s contention that “existence was more original, extraordinary and inexplicable than any of its separate astonishing incidents and facts. I was attracted by the unusualness of the usual.” Pasternak’s subjective, poeticized perspective aligns Doctor Zhivago in certain ways with magic realists like Márquez as much as with Tolstoy in his pursuit of “the atmosphere of being,” which he described as “the whole sequence of facts and beings and happenings like some moving entireness, like a developing, passing by, rolling and rushing inspiration, as if reality itself had freedom and choice and was composing itself out of numberless variants and versions.”

Pasternak’s “moving entireness” in Doctor Zhivago begins with the 10-year-old Yury Zhivago attending his mother’s funeral in a driving snowstorm, imagistically uniting human destiny and the vitality and power of nature that threaten to engulf and overwhelm the individual. This theme of the survival of the individual will be orchestrated throughout the novel, embedded even in the title character’s family name, an older Russian form of the word “alive.” It is the first of many scenes in which Zhivago’s isolation and vulnerability to both natural forces and human events aligned against his aspirations toward selfhood will be emphasized. The novel relies on several traditional structural principles including the novel of development and education of the artist as well as the quest novel in which the artist Zhivago eventually emerges after a succession of tests. Yet Doctor Zhivago is a tragically conceived modern Odyssey in which not home but isolation and separation from virtually every sustaining relationship and external consolation are his destination. Ultimately, Zhivago’s only reward or redemption is his art and the affirmation of the mystery and majesty of existence that his poems assert.

The first portion of the novel dramatizes the last decade of czarist rule and the events leading up to World War I and the revolutions of 1917. Following the suicide death of his father over the loss of his fortune, Yury is raised in the professorial home of Alexander and Anna Gromeko and their daughter Tonya. The novel’s catalyst and moral touchstone is the “Girl from a Different World,” Lara Guishar, the teenaged daughter of a Belgian hat-maker, whose story connects the comfortable bourgeois world of the Gromekos with Moscow’s labor class and incipient revolutionaries. Her seduction by the rich lawyer, Komarovsky, establishes a connection with Yury who is on hand after Lara’s mother’s failed suicide attempt and at the Christmas party where Lara tries and fails to shoot her lover. They next meet at the front during World War I where Yury, having married Tonya, is serving as a doctor and Lara is working as a nurse, having gone to the front in search of her husband, Pasha Antipov, who has abandoned her and their child, unable to reconcile himself to his wife’s past with Komarovsky. As Yury and Lara’s attachment grows, news of the revolution reaches them, and both return to their respective homes—Yury to Moscow, and Lara to Yuryatin in Siberia.

Having experienced the dehumanizing conditions of war, Yury returns to similar conditions in Moscow under the Bolsheviks where his family’s privileged existence has been transformed to a struggle for survival in which Yury’s integrity, individualism, and artistic sensibility are not just valueless but dangerously subversive. Seeking relief, the family travels east to Tonya’s former family estate in Siberia, near Yuryatin, Lara’s home. The train journey is one of the triumphs of the novel in which the immense Russian landscape is brilliantly evoked and a rich collection of the various classes of Russian soci-ety displaced by the revolution are brought together during the dangerous and lawless days of the civil war. Yury barely avoids execution in an encounter with the merciless revolutionary leader Strelnikov, Lara’s renamed husband Antipov. Settling at the Varykino estate and subsisting off the land, the fam-ily thrives for a year before a chance reunion between Yury and Lara leads to their love affair. Guilt-ridden and determined to reconcile with Tonya, Yury is kidnapped on his way home by Bolshevik partisan fighters in need of a doctor. Serving with them for over a year and experiencing the horrific violence and human debasement of the civil war, Yury finally escapes back to Yuryatin where he is nursed back to health by Lara and learns that Tonya, her father, and their children have returned to Moscow. (They will subsequently be deported to the West.)

The reunited lovers are interrupted by the appearance of Komarovsky who warns Lara of her danger as the wife of the now-condemned Strelnikov. They respond by leaving Yuryatin for Varykino and two weeks of happiness in which Yury resumes his poetry, inspired by Lara. Komarovsky offers Lara and her child safe passage to the East, and Yury, to convince her to take it, lies that he will join them. Left alone, Yury is visited by the hunted Strelnikov who, in despair over the failure of his revolutionary ideals and his betrayal of Lara’s love, shoots himself. The novel concludes with Yury’s life in Mos-cow, having been stripped of everything he had formerly relied on to sustain him—his wife, family, and lover. Resuming his medical career and his writing, Yury finally dies of a heart attack, ultimately vindicated by the poems that close the book, testimony of both his heroic resistance to the forces of death and despair and affirmation of the value of life, embodied by the essential human qualities of his muse, Lara. She arrives in Moscow in time for the funeral before disappearing: “She must have been arrested in the street, as so often happened in those days, and she died or vanished somewhere, forgotten as a nameless number on a list which later was mislaid, in one of the innumerable mixed or women’s concentration camps in the north.”

In the fates of both Lara and Yuri, the reader feels an overwhelming sense of human waste, having been instructed by the author in the value their lives and living has, set beside the necessities of history and ideology that has diminished both. Doctor Zhivago attempts to redress the balance, translating the “nameless number on a list” into memorable human terms that never neglects the “unusualness of the usual.”

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News Analysis

Fresh Off Defeat in Speaker Fight, Greene Relishes the Chaos She Wrought

The hard-right congresswoman from Georgia failed spectacularly in her bid to depose Speaker Mike Johnson. But for a figure who sees her power in creating chaos, the loss was the point.

By Annie Karni

Reporting from the Capitol

As Republicans and Democrats booed her loudly Wednesday when she called a snap vote on the House floor to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia, paused briefly to narrate the drama to viewers back home.

“This is the uniparty, for the American people watching,” Ms. Greene sneered, peering over her glasses at her colleagues like a disappointed schoolteacher.

Ms. Greene went on to take her shot at Mr. Johnson and miss, an outcome that she knew was a certainty. The vote to kill her attempt to remove him was an overwhelming 359 to 43 — with all but 39 Democrats joining Republicans to block her and rescue the G.O.P. speaker.

The move buoyed Mr. Johnson, confirming his status as the leader of an unlikely bipartisan governing coalition in the House that Ms. Greene considers the ultimate enemy. And it isolated Ms. Greene on Capitol Hill, putting her back where she was when she arrived in Washington three years ago: a provocateur and subject of derision who appears to revel in causing huge headaches for her colleagues .

“Hopefully, this is the end of the personality politics and the frivolous character assassination that has defined the 118th Congress,” Mr. Johnson said after the vote.

The word “hopefully” was doing a lot of work.

If Ms. Greene’s goals in Congress were to chair a powerful committee or to build up political capital to drive major policy initiatives — or if she had to worry about drawing a political challenger — this all would constitute a major problem for her. But those have never been the incentives that have driven the gentle lady from Georgia, whose congressional career has been defined by delighting her base and stoking anger on the right more than legislative achievement or political pragmatism.

Ms. Greene hails from a blood-red district where 68 percent of voters supported former President Donald J. Trump in 2020, allowing her to operate with relative impunity in Congress, without fear of a challenge from the right or left. She has further insulated herself politically by donating vast sums to electing Republicans to the House, quietly backing her colleagues even as she picks fights many of them would rather avoid.

So even as it became clear over the last week that she would fail in her quest to depose the speaker, Ms. Greene saw an upside in insisting on the exercise. A vote would offer concrete proof that Mr. Johnson had made himself beholden to the Democrats — a dynamic that has been clear for months as he has partnered with them to pass a host of major bills , including one to send aid to Ukraine — and that many Republicans were going along with what she regarded as a betrayal of the party’s principles.

“I’m thrilled with the whole thing,” Ms. Greene said in an interview on Thursday, sounding upbeat after her spectacular defeat. “Even the booing from both sides — I fully expected it.”

Even if Ms. Greene felt defeated or isolated, she would be exceedingly unlikely to acknowledge it. Her power derives in large part from her irrepressible attitude and her Trumpian instinct to double down rather than retreat in the face of failure.

On Wednesday evening, center-leaning Republicans tried to create as much distance from her as they could, fearful that association with her theatrics would alienate voters in their districts turned off by the seemingly endless chaos in the House.

“All she wants is attention,” said Representative Carlos Gimenez, Republican of Florida. “Today, we shut her down. Our entire conference said, ‘Enough is enough — we don’t need to hear from her anymore.’”

Representative Mike Lawler, Republican of New York, referred repeatedly to Ms. Greene as “Moscow Marjorie” as she dangled her threat to oust the speaker. “Moscow Marjorie has clearly gone off the deep end,” he said on Wednesday.

But if Ms. Greene is now on an island in her party, she hasn’t been there long, and there’s likely a rescue boat en route to bring her back to the mainland. Shortly after arriving in Congress in 2021, she was stripped of her committee assignments by Democrats — 11 Republicans voted with them — and was treated like a pariah by many in Washington. But over the past two years, Ms. Greene has been elevated by her party’s leaders, valued as a top adviser by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy , leaned on as a helpful fund-raiser by vulnerable Republicans and publicly hailed as a dream teammate by center-leaning lawmakers in her party.

“Marjorie Taylor Greene, she is so kind,” Representative Jen Kiggans, a vulnerable Republican from Virginia, said at an event last year before the ouster attempt. “She has been very nice to me.” Of Ms. Greene and other bomb throwers in her party, she said, “I have nothing bad or, you know, different to say about any of these people. They’re on my team, right? They are my teammates. We all want the same things.”

Mr. Trump, who had privately prodded Ms. Greene to move on rather than pursue her vendetta against the speaker and maneuvered to save Mr. Johnson, made it clear she remains on his good side despite ignoring his advice. He waited until the House had turned back her ouster attempt on Wednesday night to post a message on social media urging Republicans to block it. And before he praised Mr. Johnson, he wrote: “I absolutely love Marjorie Taylor Greene. She’s got Spirit, she’s got Fight, and I believe she’ll be around, and on our side, for a long time to come.”

If that’s what abandonment by her party looks like, who needs an embrace?

“He’s not mad at me at all,” Ms. Greene said Thursday of the former president. “I talked to him plenty. He’s proud of me.”

Democrats, for their part, aren’t willing to let Republicans run away from Ms. Greene, the most famous Republican in the House, so quickly.

Missy Cotter Smasal, a Democrat challenging Ms. Kiggans in coastal Virginia, said that “when voters hear her comments calling Marjorie Taylor Greene a teammate, they are astounded and disgusted.”

Even though Ms. Kiggans voted to kill Ms. Greene’s effort on Wednesday night, Ms. Smasal moved quickly to try to use the mutiny attempt as a cudgel against her G.O.P. opponent.

“Jen Kiggans in office enables the chaos of Marjorie Taylor Greene,” she said on Thursday. A spokeswoman for Ms. Kiggans did not respond to a request for comment.

Justin Chermol, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said: “When the Republicans lose their majority in November, it will be because the so-called moderates let Marjorie Taylor Greene be their party mascot.”

And Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, wasted little time in sending out a fund-raising email detailing how Ms. Greene “threatened to throw Congress further into chaos, crisis and confusion.”

Ms. Greene laughed off the idea that her actions would help elect Democrats this fall — the argument that everyone from Mr. Trump to Representative Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio, had used as they tried to discourage her from moving to oust the speaker.

“Republicans will turn out in droves for Trump,” she said. Using an acronym for “Republican in name only,” she continued, “Then they’re going to move down and see that RINO Republican they’ve elected time and time again — who didn’t impeach Biden, who didn’t do anything on the border — they’re going to see that guy and they’re going to cuss him under their breath and skip his name.”

Ms. Greene said Thursday that she didn’t care much whether she was isolated or not.

“If I’m on an island,” she said, “I’m doing exactly what I came here for.”

“I’m very comfortable ebbing and flowing with my party,” she added. “I can be their biggest cheerleader, supporter, defender, donor. I’ve given something like half a million to the National Republican Campaign Committee. I am a team player.”

Over the past two election cycles, Ms. Greene has sent a total of $725,000 to the party’s campaign arm, according to the nonpartisan campaign finance research group Open Secrets, a vast sum for a rank-and-file member like Ms. Greene.

In 2023, Ms. Greene gave the maximum contribution in more than a dozen vulnerable House Republican races, including to colleagues who represent districts President Biden won in 2020, such as Representatives David Schweikert of Arizona and Mike Garcia of California.

On Thursday morning, Ms. Greene made it clear she wasn’t finished tormenting Mr. Johnson just yet.

“Speaker Johnson is the Uniparty Speaker of the House!” she crowed on social media.

Annie Karni is a congressional correspondent for The Times. She writes features and profiles, with a recent focus on House Republican leadership. More about Annie Karni

A Divided Congress: Latest News and Analysis

Marjorie Taylor Greene: The hard-right congresswoman from Georgia failed spectacularly in her bid to depose Speaker Mike Johnson. But for a figure who sees her power in creating chaos, the loss was the point .

Reauthorize FAA and Improve Air Travel: The Senate passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs and put in place new safety measures and consumer protections, at a moment of intense uncertainty  and disruption in the air travel system.

Mike Johnson: The House speaker easily batted down an attempt  by Greene to oust him from his post, after Democrats linked arms with most Republicans  to block the motion.

Antisemitism Hearing: A Republican-led House committee turned its attention to three of the most politically liberal school districts  in the country, accusing them of tolerating antisemitism, but the district leaders pushed back forcefully .

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