Discourse communities are found all over the world.

They are not just normal, everyday

communities but they are distinct communities that have a sense of belonging .They are

characterized by six main features that can be identified by “ The Concept of Discourse

Community” written by John Swales. Throughout this article the following are described

features of discourse communities; a public goal, genres, intercommunication, set language,

expert members and participatory mechanisms. All are described in my life in a discourse

community that I am a member of. This community is a nursing assistant student. Nursing

Assistants can be found all over the world. Even if we don’t communicate vocally and face-to-

face we can all identity as a community.

Nursing assistants share the public goal of taking care of patients to perform daily tasks.

Daily tasks such as bathing, eating, or taking treatments.

In terms of genres only one comes to mind and this is charting. However, this is

completely in discretion to the patient, the nursing assistant and the charge nurse.

Intercommunication would mostly be vocal in terms of the small section of nursing

assistants closest to you. Meaning you would only feel included in this group entirely because of

the nursing assistants working in your building or facility.

Set languages or key vocabulary used in facilities are “codes”. These codes are designed

by colors and all have different definitions. For example code red would be fire. Code Gray may

mean an intruder. These vocabulary terms vary by facility.

Expert members would be charged nurses or nursing assistance that have been around fro

several years working in those facilities.

Participatory mechanisms can be measured by how many patients you are to take care of

and how well rounded you are with the patients at this facility.