Nursing Knowledge

Running head: NURSING KNOWLEDGE

Nursing Knowledge

Nursing Knowledge

What does it mean to say that Nursing has knowledge resources? For decades nursing has heavily invested in developing a philosophy and conceptual framework specific to a particular school of nursing. Traditionally, nursing practice has been a science developed by taking pieces from other disciplines and molding them into the framework that fits nursing practice. This molding leaves a missing piece known as a theoretical foundation that transcends all levels and degrees of nursing across the educational chiasm. As nursing has evolved from Florence Nightingale to today, nurse researchers have come to understand the need to break out of the traditional mold and embrace science to include mathematical form, computational nursing, statistical analysis, and theoretical application to practice developing an evidence-based approach to providing nursing care.

There are many sources available for the nurse of today. These resources include, and are not limited to nursing societies, libraries, and nursing institutes. Sigma Theta Tau International is a nursing honor society that was established to support learning, knowledge, and development of nurses. This society recognizes the value of excellence in nursing practice and nursing research. The society defines evidence based nursing as “an integration of the best evidence available, nursing expertise, and the values and preferences of the individuals, families and communities who are served”. This statement makes the assumption that optimal nursing care is provided when nurses and health care decision-makers have access to the latest research, expert opinion, and are able to exercise their judgment as they plan and provide care that takes into account cultural and personal values and preferences. This approach bridges the gap between the best evidence available and the most appropriate nursing care of individuals,...