Again, What Is Nursing Science?

This article again asks, What is nursing science? Who knows? Who cares? The author describes the threat to the survival of nursing science grounded in nursing frameworks and theories. This threat is magnified by the proposal of the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) to change the curricula of PhD education. The aim of CANS is to prepare nurse scientists for lifelong competitive careers in interdisciplinary research, often focused on funding priorities of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR).

A study of the feasibility of introducing therapeutic touch into the operative environment with patients undergoing cerebral angiography.

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether Therapeutic Touch (TT) can be effectively used in the operative setting and whether it could produce positive outcomes in the period from cerebral angiography to discharge. The specific outcomes to be assessed were blood pressure, pulse, and respirations. TT is an intervention that involves the intentional direction of energy for the purpose of healing.

Power as knowing participation in change: what's new and what's next.

The theory of power as knowing participation in change was derived from Rogers' science of unitary human beings. Following testing and research of the theory and measurement instrument, a practice methodology was developed and the health patterning practice model was initiated. Further developments of the theory are presented and future speculations are proposed.

A pilot study of mind-body changes in adults with asthma who practice mental imagery.

Context: Despite the growing number of studies of imagery and the use of complementary and alternative modalities as treatments for asthma, research on mental imagery in adults with asthma is practically, nonexistent. The purpose of this feasibility study was to lay groundwork for a larger follow-up clinical trial.

Objective: To determine whether pulmonary function, asthma symptoms, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and power differ over time in adults with asthma who do and do not practice mental imagery (MI).

What is nursing science?

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.