Profession: The Role Of Reference Groups In Nursing

Marianna Notaro Reference groups help us to realize something about ourselves when we compare ourselves to others. This comparison can be minuscule or monumental in self-meaning. It may be a comparison that is permanent or superficial/fleeting. A superficial comparison may be how some feel in grade school when a group of children have a new toy that others did not. This feeling of being left out is momentary since it only lasts until the popularity of that toy is lost and another gains more popularity. Another way it may be fleeting is if a child’s parent caves in and buys the child that new toy. And so, that child, who once did not have that toy, is now apart of that reference group. I always remember myself having these fleeing feelings

I am a nurse’s aid. I am paid very low in comparison to a registered nurse. I feel as though many nurse’s aids constantly view registered nurses as a reference group when comparing their type of work and salary. The work of a nurse’s aid involves cleaning patients, assisting with toileting, morning care, pm care, and recording vital signs. A nurse’s responsibility involves assessments, diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation, and documentation. Also, a nurse has the authority to delegate certain work to a nurse’s aid; however, the delegated tasks are under supervision of the nurse. In essence, salary at the hospital is based on credentials and responsibility. This, of course, creates reference groups that compare the amount/type of workload and corresponding salary. Workload and type of work may be incongruent with salary. For example, a nurse’s aid has more grunt work in the hospital than a doctor whose main job is diagnosis and treatment. However, the pay between the two professions is vastly different. This creates some animosity and power struggles. Often, this reference group makes one feel inferior to the other, which creates a sense of hierarchy at the