THE DISCIPLINE OF NURSING - HISTORICAL ROOTS, CURRENT PERSPECTIVES, FUTURE-DIRECTIONS

As advances in nursing science and research impact upon nursing educat ion and clinical practice, new ways of looking at phenomena have led t o a re-examination and refinement of the traditional concepts: person, environment, health and nursing. This evolving pattern of intellectua l growth holds promise for the discipline of nursing through the advan cement of knowledge based upon scientific inquiry into the practice of nursing. This paper discusses nursing as a discipline by examining th e development of a unique body of knowledge from three viewpoints: his torical past, current perspectives and future direction.