title: Nursing models and the idea of nursing.
abstract: The Wittgensteinian idea of family resemblances and meaning is explained. The idea of nursing is examined from this standpoint as are the knowledge claims of several influential nursing models. It is argued that the task of building a general model of nursing is theoretically impossible. The political and educational implications of the above argument are developed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cash
mesh_terms: D004506:Education, Nursing; D005190:Family; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009742:Nursing Theory