In nursing, from time to time, we harness new words (and "harness" is one, too). Now it's all about "transforming" nursing education. When I look up "transforming," it seems a little too radical for me. Yes, we do need to change how we teach nursing students, for example by using more simulation or integrating more clinical reasoning, rather than memorization. However, "transform" means to change the structure or the appearance. Surely we don't mean to go that far. What are your thoughts? Is "transform" being used in other professions, too?

It's typical management-speak. It's used as a synonym for change in a lot of cases when what is really meant is tinker. A truly radical change might be a transformation, but they are rare. The old axiom, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies, and most changes are cosmetic only, even if they are trumpeted as "Transforming the way we work" and the like.

I wonder what the difference is between transformation and reformation. For some purposes they seem synonymous.

Interesting question, Geoff. I hear about "transformation" all the time, but never "reformation."

I also have never heard as many "quotes" at a conference as I have at this one. I put it in quotes because I have often found speakers often provide false quotes.

To me "reformation has two meanings:

1. Improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices etc.; intended to make a striking change for the better in social or political or religious affairs - which is similar to "transformation".

2. Rescuing from error and returning to a rightful course - which is probably not.

Transformation to me is a less precise term.

I also like the term "revolutionize." It sounds more active...more "in your face."

Revolutionise is a verb created from a noun created from a verb. Revolt - revolution - revolutionise.

Why not stick with the original verb?

quote:

Originally posted by Richard English:
Revolutionise is a verb created from a noun created from a verb. Revolt - revolution - revolutionise.

Why not stick with the original verb?

Because revolt and revolutionize have different meanings.

Exactly, Goofy. Of the three words, I think "reformation" might be the best.

quote:

Originally posted by goofy:

quote:

Originally posted by Richard English:
Revolutionise is a verb created from a noun created from a verb. Revolt - revolution - revolutionise.

Why not stick with the original verb?

Because revolt and revolutionize have different meanings.

Not that different, surely?

Revolt = Make revolution

Revolutionise = Overthrow by a revolution, of governments.

There are other meanings of the verb "revolt", of course - but they do not apply.

quote:

Revolutionise = Overthrow by a revolution, of governments

That's a definition I'd never heard of before. I checked with Collins English Dictionary (as the first dictionary in Onelook) and they do give that, as the third choice, although I was only familiar with the first two meanings. I also note that their usage examples only contain specimens of the first definition. Your usage is certainly not the one that would first come to my mind.

quote:

1.to bring about a radical change in ⇒ science has revolutionized civilization
2.to inspire or infect with revolutionary ideas ⇒ they revolutionized the common soldiers
3.to cause a revolution in (a country, etc)

I do like that definition of bringing about a radical change. Perhaps revolutionize is the best word, after all. I really don't much like the words reform or reformation anyway. They sounds too religious to me.

Of course government "revolutions" do come to mind, but not in this context. Though I guess the same could be said of "reformation."

This makes me think of one of my favorite lines from the musical 1776:

quote:

A rebellion is always legal in the first person, such as "our rebellion." It is only in the third person - "their rebellion" - that it becomes illegal.

Of course, if the nurses themselves decided that change needed to occur, would it then be called a rebellion? Hmm . . .

If the nurses thuught of it, it would an "unwarranted intrusion into the prerogatives of management."

I do like rebellion, CW! It might push the envelope a bit.