The nature of philosophy of science, theory and knowledge relating to nursing and professionalism

It appears that nursing has devoted an extravagant amount of concentration to the subject of professionalism and professionalization. Consequently, it has created and persists to create some proportion of controversy amid nursing authors, particularly in the Western World at the present time. According to Silva, philosophy, knowledge and theory are intrinsically linked. These notions are important to consider independently and to clarify their relationships, if nursing's knowledge base is to be built on a strong foundation. Perhaps then, if nursing wishes to continue on the trail of professionalization, nurses need to return to and reconsider its foundations and accomplishments. The aim of this discussion paper is to explore the nature of the philosophy of science, knowledge and theory and their interrelationships, with particular reference to professionalization by considering where nursing has come from and consequently the way forward to ascertaining professional status.