Philosophy of Science for Nursing Practice

Additional Book Details

Written for DNP and PhD nursing programs, this text, based on a unique team-taught philosophy of science nursing courses, distills challenging content and
delivers it in clear, highly accessible language for professors untrained in philosophy and their students. Authored by a nurse researcher/philosopher team
who developed and taught this course for more than 7 years, the book provides a unique, integrated viewpoint that avoids esoteric and overly theoretical
discussions and facilitates a clear connection between the philosophy of science and nursing science and practice. This second edition offers enhanced
clarity and encompasses updates in philosophy of science interpretation, nursing practice and science, and a still-emerging practice epistemology. It is
distinguished by its increased emphasis on DNP investigation that relies on a fundamental relationship with evidence-based practice, as well as the
informational needs of the PhD student and the type of research the PhD graduate is expected to produce.

The bulk of the text focuses on basic principles and concepts of the philosophy of science in regard to the education of both DNP and PhD nursing students.
The book discusses the concept of nursing as a “practice discipline” within historical and sociological contexts, and addresses the importance of
philosophy of science knowledge within a practice discipline. It examines the controversial question of how much philosophy of science a doctoral student
actually needs. The text concludes with a brief introduction to nursing science knowledge content that is an essential “bridge” to the philosophy of
science content and serves as a “next step” toward building a nursing epistemology.

New to the Second Edition:

Revised to enhance clarity of information

Reflects contemporary trends in doctoral nursing education

Updated Questions for Reflection offer scholarly discourse

New appendix offers a sample semester-based syllabus based on the second edition

Key Features:

Provides concise, accessible information that makes clear connections to practical applications


Written jointly by a philosopher and a nurse scholar who co-teach the course


Facilitates student ability to see the real connection between philosophy and practice


Increased focused content on how philosophy of science content is essential to understand evidence-based and practice-based evidence