What is Nursing Science?

Abstract

The enigma of defining nursing science is preceded by defining nursing, science, research, and nursing theory-guided practice. The context for exploring the meaning of nursing science is provided through examination of the totality and simultaneity paradigms. Differing views of nursing as a discipline are discussed. The position is taken that nursing is a basic science with various nursing schools of thought that constitute the substantive knowledge of the discipline. Finally, a definition of nursing science is presented that is broad enough to encompass all disciplinary knowledge. Despite current challenges, an optimistic vision is emerging. The nurse theorists and other nurse scholars who are furthering the development of this work are considered to be the cultural creatives of nursing and contributors to a larger movement toward wholeness in science and in society.

Deconstructing the evidence-based discourse in health sciences: truth, power and fascism

“…6 At first glance, EBHS seems beneficial for positive patient outcomes, which is a primary healthcare objective. 8 As a consequence, it is easy for healthcare researchers and clinicians to assume that EBHS is the method to assure that patients receive optimal care. 9 While EBHS does acknowledge that healthcare professionals possess discrete bodies of knowledge, EBHS advocates defend its rigid approach by rationalising that the process is not self-serving because improved healthcare and increased healthcare funding will improve patient outcomes.…”

Neurocritical Care Nursing Research Priorities

“…In this manner, theory does not exclude the quest to understand practice or to seek diverse sources of knowledge. Nursing theory drives this search as an effort to see the big picture [1]. A theory-driven model of nursing science has been established and is emerging as a driving force in practice [79].…”

“…Embedded within this construct is the ideal that nurses and nursing care are central to any successful collaboration. The science of nursing has long been discussed as a blending of the art and science of caring, and nursing research builds the evidence of support for nursing practice [1][2][3]. A primary component of nursing research is the fundamental assumption that nursing practice must be evidence-based, theory based, and help build the link between theory and practice.…”

Where is nursing in academic nursing? disciplinary discourses, identities and clinical practice: a critical perspective from Ireland

“…Singulars are bounded disciplines that socialise both teachers and students into specialised identities (Bernstein 2000). The 'nursing science' singular discourse constructs academic nursing as a human science (Northrup et al 2004) with its own disciplinary paradigms and schools of thought (Barrett 2002). A recurring theme is 'extinction or distinction' (Nagle 1999, p. 71), which refers to the importance of establishing and maintaining distinct boundaries for disciplinary survival.…”

“…A recurring theme is 'extinction or distinction' (Nagle 1999, p. 71), which refers to the importance of establishing and maintaining distinct boundaries for disciplinary survival. The discourse is an attempt to articulate a distinctive language for nursing, the lack of which is considered to render nursing invisible and inaudible in health systems and academia (Barrett 2002).…”