Circumpolar Nursing

This book is based on a study that explored Smi nurses' culture, identity and traditions in their practice in rural, arctic areas of Norway. Overall, ruralism was not considered a challenge, but connected to decreased recruitment and retention of workforce. Appreciating traditional ways of nursing and healing, a strong sense of separating what was allowed at work/private time was conveyed, causing a view of their nursing job as something Norwegian, and perhaps a little 'un-Smi'. Challenges were perceptions of self-worth among Smi people themselves, language problems, and a sense of lack of understanding of their Smi culture from non-Smi colleagues. All had clear visions of uniting in a Smi nursing organization to enhance themselves as a group. Advice for existing or prospective nurses: Reflect and be aware of your Smi background. A central finding was for the discipline of nursing in Norway, Smi nurses' perspectives clearly need to be considered. Not only for improving cross-cultural and cross-linguistic difficulties, but also for increasing numbers of the Smi workforce itself. Particularly to appreciate more fully the contribution Smi nurses might make to Smi health.