NURSINGS METAPARADIGM CONCEPTS - DISIMPACTING THE DEBATES

Theoretical advances in nursing have been complicated by polarization and extreme positions regarding nursing's approach to its main metapar adigm concepts: person, health, environment and nursing, In this gaper , the authors deconstruct some of the central arguments that ate used to further this polarization. Using a critical interpretive approach,t hey explain some of the logical implications imposed by various extrem e positions for the larger project of nursing's health and social mand ate, and consider the effects of such polarization. On the basis of an appreciation of the serious difficulties inherent in certain philosop hical and theoretical positions currently evident within nursing's lit erature, the authors argue for a less extreme and more integrated refe rence point for nursing's theory and practice.