Introduction
Social change is the fundamental process for the development of communities and their ability to achieve ambitious goals. The fact is that alteration is the central aspect of evolution. The ability to adapt to new conditions is central to the survival of species. The same idea applies to organizations, big entities, and communities.
Societies that remain static will start stagnating and collapse. Under these conditions, social change, or transforming human interactions and relationships to alter social and cultural institutions, is the top priority (Jason, 2013). Every individual should act as a social change agent to ensure they can promote positive shifts in the world and make it better.
Defining the Type of Social Change Agent
As for me, I can be defined as a socially conscious consumer or a person behaving responsibly toward people, the environment, and the communities where they operate (“New Walden University study,” n.d.). I believe that social justice is one of the crucial social change topics that should be considered nowadays, as it plays a critical role in numerous people’s lives. At the moment, I lack the engagement and motivation to become an ultra-committed change-maker; however, I believe that the continuous transformation of society is vital.
Perspective Brought by the Principle of Social Change
Personal Growth
Moreover, the principles of social change give me perspective and impact my personal and professional development. Positive changes are possible when individuals strongly believe they can make a difference and act to cultivate positive shifts (“New Walden University study,” n.d.). This idea is critical for improving communities, cultivating social justice, and establishing the basis for individuals’ growth. Advancing the greater good is vital for eliminating existing problems and establishing a new model of relations within communities (“Social change,” n.d.).
At the same time, communication and cooperation are the major components of the transformation as they are the major tools for aligning interaction between stakeholders and sharing information (Jason, 2013). Focusing on interacting with others is vital as it leads to a better understanding within communities and more effective change. However, extensive knowledge in various fields is required to ensure that topics can be discussed and solutions can be offered to improve the current situation. In such a way, the principle of social change is one of the primary stimuli for personal and professional development. I want to become better and contribute to society’s development.
Education and Professional Life of a Nurse
The ideas and principles of social change also impact my education and professional development. Mapping my career, I focus on the current needs of society and the knowledge necessary to fulfill these needs. Moreover, society attributes specific competencies to the nursing profession, and it is critical to meet these expectations (Rodríguez-Pérez et al., 2022).
I also think that nurses play a fundamental role in promoting social change. They have the opportunity to interact with individuals requiring assistance, collect information about their problems, and understand what barriers prevent them from enjoying all the benefits of a community. This data is necessary to support the introduction of new evidence-based practices and create the basis for social change (Rodríguez-Pérez et al., 2022). That is why I view my education and work as a nurse as an opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge to become a more potent change agent and contribute to resolving the most topical social problems.
Conclusion
Overall, I am sure that every individual should do his/her best to take action and help society evolve. It requires additional effort and knowledge; however, it is always rewarding. For me, the chance to create a better world and ensure that more individuals will enjoy numerous benefits is one of the major motivations in my education and professional sphere.
References
Jason, L. (2013). Principles of social change. Oxford University Press.
New Walden University study reveals six distinct types of social change agents around the world. (n.d.). Walden. Web.
Rodríguez-Pérez, M., Mena-Navarro, F., Domínguez-Pichardo, A., & Teresa-Morales, C. (2022). Current social perception of and value attached to nursing professionals’ competences: An integrative review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1817. Web.
Social change. (n.d.). Walden. Web.