Role of sociology within the nursing enterprise: some reflections on the unfinished debate

The present paper reviews literature on the relevance of sociology to nursing in the context of arguments presented by Cooke, Sharp and Porter. It explores some of the arguments presented for and against sociology in nursing education. On a broader perspective, sociology inter alia, is at best worthwhile for nurses and is not as positively harmful as Sharp asserts. The discussion draws attention to the relevance of social theory for nursing practice. It is argued that almost all social theories have been widely applied in nursing research. The case for sociology as applied to nursing or nursing sociology versus general sociology for nurses was examined. This paper concludes in favor of the inclusion of sociology as applied to nursing in the nursing curriculum.