title: Courage as integral to advancing nursing practice.
abstract: Courage is an elusive but fundamental component of nursing. Yet it is seldom mentioned in professional texts and other literature nor is it often recognised and supported in practice. This paper focuses on the illumination of courage in nursing. Data from a hermeneutic analysis of nurses' practice stories is integrated with literature to assist deeper understanding of the meaning of courage in contemporary nursing practice. The purpose is to make visible a phenomenon that needs to be actively fostered or 'en-courage-d' if nursing is to effectively contribute to an improved health service.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Care Practice, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland.
authors.forename: Deb
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smythe
mesh_terms: D001242:Assertiveness; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003405:Creativity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009013:Morale; D009520:New Zealand; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000523:psychology; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D028722:Virtues