The power of wholeness, consciousness, and caring a dialogue on nursing science, art, and healing.
Wholeness, consciousness, and caring are 3 critical concepts singled out and positioned in the disciplinary discourse of nursing to distinguish it from other disciplines. This article is an outgrowth of a dialogue among 4 scholars, 3 who have participated extensively in work aimed at synthesizing converging points in nursing theory development. It proposes a unified vision of nursing knowledge that builds on their work as a reference point for extending reflection and dialogue about the discipline of nursing. We seek for an awakening of a higher/deeper place of wholeness, consciousness, and caring that will synthesize new ethical and intellectual forms and norms of "ontological caring literacy" to arrive at a unitary caring science praxis. We encourage the evolution of a mature caring-healing-health discipline and profession, helping affirm and sustain humanity, caring, and wholeness in our daily work and in the world.
University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA. richardcowling@uncg.edu
W Richard
WR
Cowling
Marlaine C
MC
Smith
Jean
J
Watson
D003243:Consciousness; D004645:Empathy; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing