Implementing a smoking ban: an analysis of nurses' attempts to negotiate change

This case study describes the events that followed the introduction of a smoking ban in a psychiatric ward of a metropolitan teaching hospital. The decision aroused a strong reaction from the ward's nurses who were offended by the manner in which the ban was implemented and the lack of planning that created nursing problems. Analysis with reference to the literature revealed that nurses felt powerless and lacked confidence in their ability to negotiate their role as change agents. It is argued that nurses in situations like the one described here need not passively accept external control. If nurses develop assertiveness skills and take risks they will be able to change their profession and gain recognition of the centrality of their role in health care.