Nursing Philosophy

Description:

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This journal will provide a forum for discussion of philosophical issues in nursing. These will focus on questions relating to the nature of nursing and to the phenomena of key relevance to it. For example any understanding of what nursing is presupposes some conception of just what nurses are trying to do when they nurse. But what are the ends of nursing Are they to promote health prevent disease promote well-being enhance autonomy relieve suffering or some combination of these In addition to a focus on the ends of nursing philosophical enquiry into the means by which these ends are to be met will also be welcomed within the journal. What kind of knowledge is needed in order to nurse Practical theoretical aesthetic moral political intuitive or some other In addition to these subject areas critical discussions of the work of nurse theorists who have advanced philosophical claims and philosophers themselves will be encouraged. For example the works of Benner Benner and Wrubel Carper Schrok Watson Parse and so on all include substantial philosophical content. Moreover the writings of a number of philosophers are appealed to and discussed with increasing frequency in nursing journals. Such philosophers include Heidegger Husserl Kuhn Polanyi Taylor and Macintyre. Critical discussions of the works of these philosophers and of their relevance to nursing are also welcomed within the journal. Although the main scope of the journal will be nursing philosophical contributions on related areas of health care work such as midwifery and occupational therapy will be encouraged.