THE QUESTION OF KNOWLEDGE IN DISTRICT NURSING

This paper focuses on the development of the experiential knowledge ba se in district nursing with reference to changes in professional prepa ration for district nurses and to a research study conducted by the au thor during the 1970s, The process of conducting the research showed t hat an exclusive focus on activity fails to capture the range and dept h of nursing care in the home, Schon's concept of professional artistr y is employed as an interpretive framework to consider some of the stu dy findings and with reference to more recent research studies the aut hor concludes that while it has always been central to skilled nursing , professional artistry has remained hidden, The problems confronting academics and practitioners in articulating such knowledge are explore d together with the possible consequences of continued failure to addr ess this issue, These difficulties are discussed in the context of the current changes in the National Health Service with particular refere nce to the introduction of grade mix in community nursing, The paper c oncludes by arguing that a better under-standing of the district nurse 's knowledge base must be vigorously pursued, Copyright (C) 1996 Elsev ier Science Ltd.