title: A role for virtue in unifying the 'knowledge' and 'caring' discourses in nursing theory.
abstract: A critical examination of contemporary nursing theory suggests that two distinct discourses coexist within this field. On the one hand, proponents of the 'knowledge discourse' argue that nurses should drop the 'virtue script' and focus on the scientific and technical aspects of their work. On the other hand, proponents of the 'caring discourse' promote a view of nursing that embodies humanistic qualities such as compassion, empathy and mutuality. In view of this, we suggest a way to reconcile both discourses despite the fact that they appear to be at odds theoretically and practically. To that end, we argue that nursing theory must give a prominent role to the Aristotelian conception of virtue, and we offer an account that includes both character and intellectual virtues. This account allows for a focus on moral competence but also accommodates the demands for discipline-specific knowledge. Our account incorporates the caring discourse by suggesting a way for individuals to cultivate the conditions within themselves that make 'caring in nursing' possible, while the knowledge discourse is accommodated via the acquisition of the intellectual virtues. The process for achieving both these ends is the same: an intention to consistently develop, hone and exercise certain character traits over time.
authors.affiliation: School of Humanities, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bliss
authors.affiliation: School of Humanities, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baltzly
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009742:Nursing Theory; D028722:Virtues