Defining nursing knowledge

Hall, Angela MSc, PGCE, BSc, DN, RGN

Angela Hall, MSc, PGCE, BSc, DN, RGN, is community nurse tutor, Swansea University.

This article has been double-blind peer-reviewed.

For related articles on this subject and links to relevant websites seewww.nursingtimes.net

Nursing Times 101(48):p 34-37, November 29, 2005.

ABSTRACT

Hall, A. (2005) Defining nursing knowledge.Nursing Times;101: 48, 34-37.

The question of what constitutes nursing knowledge is a vital one for nurses to consider for a number of reasons. Nurses use a wide range of knowledge in practice, some theoretical and some practical, so identifying what nursing knowledge is should be central to practice. This paper attempts to define nursing knowledge by discussing the evidence. It suggests that such knowledge is important to raise awareness of personal and professional accountability, inform the dilemmas of practice and improve patient care.