Laclau and Mouffe's Discourse Theory: Professionalism as an Empty Signifier for Nursing

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Discourse Theory
• Nursing Studies

Background:

• Chantal Mouffe and Ernesto Laclau developed discourse theory, positing that meaning arises from context.
• Discourse theory views all practices and objects as discursive, shaped by their wider context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Laclau and Mouffe's discourse theory.
• To explicate discourse theory tenets using nursing discourse and the concept of 'professionalism' as an empty signifier.
• To explore the construction of discourse and the role of empty signifiers in achieving hegemony.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the nursing discourse, focusing on the concept of 'professionalism'.
• Application of Laclau and Mouffe's discourse theory to understand the stabilization of discourse and hegemonic formations.
• Examination of how an empty signifier, 'professionalism', shapes nursing identity.

Main Results:

• The concept of 'professionalism' functions as an empty signifier in nursing discourse.
• This empty signifier stabilizes nursing discourse towards hegemony but results in a lack of coherent identity, defined as 'not unprofessional'.
• The struggle to fully constitute nursing identity is linked to the antagonistic frontier between 'women's work' and evidence-based practice.

Conclusions:

• Laclau and Mouffe's discourse theory is highly relevant to understanding nursing identity and discourse.
• 'Professionalism' as an empty signifier highlights the challenges in forming a stable, coherent nursing identity.
• Further application of discourse theory to nursing is encouraged to explore other discursive areas.