WRITING A PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING

Nurses in education and management settings are often required to writ e a philosophy for the facility. In this paper, the use of the concept of 'philosophy' in nursing education and nursing management is explor ed. The nature of philosophy is then outlined, with specific reference to its relationship with a special science such as nursing. In the li ght of this discussion, the real nature of the document that nursing a uthors call a 'philosophy' is discussed. The concepts of a life and wo rld view and a mission statement are discussed in this regard. Specifi c proposals are then made for nurses in approaching the task of produc ing this planning document.