The practice turn in nursing epistemology.

摘要

Nursing is a fascinating discipline. Nurses have the honor and expertise to participate closely in human healing processes of individuals, families, communities, and other systems of care. Yet, because the practitioner's expertise in healing is not fully understood, some account for it by relying on concepts (like intuition, tacitknowing, and gut feelings) that render nursing knowledge more mystical than professional. Admittedly, there are elements of mystery in nurses' patterns of knowing. However, contrary to philosophers of science Reichenbach and Popper, the context of discovery is not primarily mystical territory (Lamb & Easton, 1984), and this author believes it both possible and beneficial to obtain better explanations of how nursing knowledge is produced in the practice setting. Furthermore, trends in practice regarding evidence-based nursing, an intensified interest in advanced practice degrees, and the rise of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree all necessitate inquiry into nursing's epistemological infrastructure. In this column, the author proposes a rationale and a framework for thinking about knowledge production in nursing practice.