An archive of caring for nursing

Abstract

The central concern of this thesis is the diversity of the discourses of caring within nursing knowledge. Drawing on three of the tools of 'Foucauldian archaeology', namely the statement, discursive formation and discourse, 'An archive of Caring for Nursing' is identified. At least three discourses comprise this archive. These are 'caring as being', 'caring as doing', 'caring as knowing'. Each discourse is described in the thesis and critically analysed for influences on contemporary nursing knowledge, education, theory, management and practice. Practice exemplars are utilised to elaborate the conflict between the author's discursive position and the positions of other nurse practitioners and educators. The thesis contributes to nursing knowledge, nurse education and practice. How nurses are positioned within discourses of caring and how they resist within these discourses, is especially significant for nursing's future.

Date of Award	2006
Original language	English