Nursology is regarded as a discipline and a profession, which means that nursology constitutes distinctive knowledge encompassing nursological philosophies, conceptual models, grand theories, middle-range theories, and situation-specific theories (see all content on https://nursology.net and also https://nursology.net/2018/09/24/our-name-why-nursology-why-net/.Medici)ne, in contrast, is a trade. This assertion is based on my search of literature for several years and pondering … Continue reading Is Medicine a Trade or a Discipline or Profession?
Critical Commentary
Nursing and Racism: Are We Part of the Problem, Part of the Solution, or Perhaps Both?
One of the first "lessons" in my now-long-ago nursing education was "the nursing process." This was in the early 1960s, almost a decade before anyone spoke of nursing theory, but the University of Hawaii (my alma mater) had modeled the curriculum on that of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) which was designed … Continue reading Nursing and Racism: Are We Part of the Problem, Part of the Solution, or Perhaps Both?
Posthumxnism and the Pandemic
Co-contributors with Jessica Dillard Wright:* Jane Hopkins Walsh Brandon Blaine Brown "One of the things that’s coming to light is how the global spread of a microscopic virus is placing the ravages of racism and inequity under the microscope. But the fact is, we don’t all see the same thing! Racism has a way of … Continue reading Posthumxnism and the Pandemic
What makes a theory or model “nursing”?
To our readers: the Nursology.net blog exists to prompt thoughtful discussion of critical issues related to the development of nursing knowledge. We welcome your thoughts, challenges, alternative points of view, and critical questions! Do not hesitate to comment on this or any other post at any time! You are our "peer reviewers" and your perspectives … Continue reading What makes a theory or model “nursing”?
A Critical Review of 5 Nursing Journal Editorials on the Topic of Nursology
A recent CINAHL search with the keyword “Nursology” revealed 5 editorials in leading nursing journals that focus on acquainting the journal’s readers with the website and the initiative. Not surprisingly, 3 of those editors were founding members of the Nursology.net website. Each shared a different aspect of the project. Jacqueline Fawcett is the facilitator of … Continue reading A Critical Review of 5 Nursing Journal Editorials on the Topic of Nursology
The problem with the 5-10 year “rule” for citations
Recently I have encountered more and more students who tell me that their advisors are indicating that all of their citations be within the past 10 years - preferably the past 5. This is one of many damaging myths about scholarship and writing that I encounter (the other most common is to never use personal … Continue reading The problem with the 5-10 year “rule” for citations
Removing/Refusing the Invisibility Cloak
Invisibility cloaks are magical devices that render the wearers invisible and transparent - they simply become part of the background. Furthermore, the wearer of the cloak can see through it and actually be wearing it without being fully conscious of it. Although invisibility cloaks have existed in mythology for centuries, they have recently been brought to … Continue reading Removing/Refusing the Invisibility Cloak
The Impossibility of Thinking “Atheoretically”
Some nursologists have claimed that they are “atheoretical.” When asked what they mean, they tend to say that they do not subscribe to or use a particular conceptual model or theory when conducting research or practicing. However, it is, according the physicist turned philosopher of science, Sir Karl R. Popper (1965), it is “absurd” to … Continue reading The Impossibility of Thinking “Atheoretically”
What are Legitimate Nursology Specialties?
Bittencourt, Marques, and Mendes Diniz de Andrade Barroso’s (2018) paper, published in Revista de Enfermagem Referência, catalyzed my thoughts about labels for legitimate specialties in the discipline of nursology. (Scroll down for information about the authors and access to the article website.) Clearly, concern for nursology-discipline specific knowledge is of interest to our scholar colleagues … Continue reading What are Legitimate Nursology Specialties?