In humanistic nursing practice theory we, Dr. Zderad and myself, propose
that nursing practice when studied, like any other area studied, will
only become available for human conceptualization if the study methods
are appropriate to its nature. Therefore, the methodology presented in
this chapter is relevant to humanistic nursing practice theory.
Embraced within this chapter is a methodology for studying nursing that
evolved out of the process of my nursing practice. The logic of this
method and of my process of nursing are one. It is not a method of
another discipline superimposed on nursing. So this method did not force
nursing or change nursing to have it mold or conform. As this method
unfolded it arose from and in accord with nursing process. This
methodology came into being only after years in which various attempts
were made to get positivistic methodology to answer relevant nursing
questions and to develop a professional scientific theory of nursing.
The method presented here was used initially to creatively conceptualize
nursing constructs in 1967-68. The data for the development of the
constructs "comfort" and "clinical" were gathered from my clinical
nursing practice and while I was deeply engrossed in existential
readings. The process or method used was not conceptualized until it was
called for while writing my doctoral dissertation in 1968. It had then
been used to study the clinical literary works of two psychiatric mental
health nurses, Theresa G. Muller and Ruth Gilbert.[1] Its
conceptualization at that time was rudimentary. Gradually it has been
further conceptualized. "From a Philosophy of Nursing to a Method of
{66} Nursology," an article published in _Nursing Research_ in 1972,
was my next attempt.[2] Graduate nursing students studied this article
and repeated the process of the methodology in their studies of their
clinical nursing data. Reflecting on this article and realizing how
others had to study and struggle with it. I became aware that still only
the bare bones of my thinking were presented. Further elaboration of
this methodology was called forth to share it with the _humanistic
nursing practice theory_ course participants. Since 1970 I have delved
into phenomenologists' writings and at this time can say that this
process of studying nursing is a phenomenological method of nursology.
Interesting to me is that the initiation of this method came when I
first began to read the existentialist literature. Existentialism can be
viewed as the fruits of phenomenological study. The process of this
method has become clearer and clearer to me over time. Phenomenologically
the process or method has grown out of the reality of the "thing itself"
to be studied, in this case, clinical nursing practice.
This chapter then is the result of reflecting on these past efforts and
is a conceptualization of this method as I understand it now.
The following quote is offered to support and validate the efforts put
into conceptualizing this method. The philosopher of science Abraham
Kaplan says of methodology:
"The aim of methodology ... is to invite speculation from
science and practicality from philosophy ... to help us
understand in the broadest possible terms, not the products of
scientific inquiry, but the process itself."[3]
The above quotation expresses the spirit in which this presentation is
offered. Positivistic science aims at objectivity and its results are
viewed as scientific facts. Nursing practice has been understood by many
as an implementation of such theoretical facts. Considering my and other
nurses' implementation of such facts it is apparent that in these
endeavors nurses come to know much about human existence.
Philosophy is often viewed as man's contemplations, autobiographical
revelations, and the values and belief systems that underlie man's
actions, Can an explicit philosophy of nursing allow for more meaningful
quality practice, be a resource for nurses, improve service, be
available for reexamination, correction, and the forwarding of
knowledge? If nursing practice is viewed as the implementation of
scientific facts and what they call forth in the nursing situation
related to man's condition of existence, is a heuristic science of
nursing developed from this situation, by nurses, an appropriate
practical professional aim?
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