The Correct, Original, and Deserving Definition of Nursing: What If It Had Been Defined Decades Ago?

?? What if nursing had been defined from its inception as a field of science-not just an art of caregiving? What if, decades ago, nursing had been firmly established as a discipline capable of uncovering groundbreaking scientific discoveries, rivaling any other STEM field?

This isn’t a hypothetical question-it’s a critical reflection on where nursing stands today. Despite its rich history and undeniable contributions, nursing continues to battle misconceptions about its identity. It's often seen as a supportive, task-oriented profession rather than the multidimensional, biopsychosocial science it truly is.

But what if we could redefine nursing-not as a complementary role to medicine-but as an independent, science-driven discipline with its own identity, theories, and groundbreaking research?

The Author’s Journey: From Identity Crisis to Scientific Breakthroughs

To explore this, let’s step into the story of a nurse scientist working in neonatal intensive care. The author (Sharon G Casavant, PhD, RN) of the recent study, “Exploring How Repeated Painful Procedures in the NICU Environment Could Affect Serotonin Levels and Brain Development,” shares a profound journey.

In their research, the author studied how repeated painful procedures in preterm infants-a common reality in the NICU-could affect serotonin levels and long-term brain development. This work explored the complex interplay between biological (brain tissue, serotonin), psychological (stress), and social (parent-infant separation) factors in care, clearly aligning with nursing’s biopsychosocial model.

Yet, during a presentation, the author was asked: “How does this translate? It doesn’t seem like nursing to me.”

That question struck a nerve. Was this groundbreaking research not nursing simply because it didn’t align with outdated definitions of the profession?

The Core Issue: Misconceptions About Nursing's Identity

The author’s experience highlights a pervasive challenge in nursing: the battle to define and protect the profession’s identity as a scientific discipline.

?? Nursing is Science: The author’s work, grounded in precision science and theory, was undeniably nursing. It addressed preterm infants' health through a holistic lens, blending biology, psychology, and social factors-a hallmark of the biopsychosocial nursing model.

?? The Misconception: Yet, because nursing has long been defined by its “art” (empathy, caregiving, comfort), there’s skepticism about its role in precision science, bench research, or policy-making.

What’s the Solution? Redefining Nursing with Theory-Driven Models

To reconcile these misconceptions, the author introduced the Nurse Role Integration Model (NRIM), a new framework based on the Neuman Systems Model (NSM). This model challenges the outdated task-based view of nursing and provides a roadmap for uniting nursing’s many roles under a cohesive theoretical framework.

Here’s how the NRIM works:

1. The Science of Nursing: Prevention as the Foundation

• Primary Prevention: Nurse researchers uncover the biological mechanisms behind health conditions (e.g., studying serotonin levels in preterm infants).
• Secondary Prevention: Nurse clinicians build on this research to develop evidence-based interventions (e.g., advocating for skin-to-skin care to reduce stress hormones).

2. The Art of Nursing: Applying Insight at the Bedside

• Nurses use their clinical expertise and empathy to implement evidence-based interventions, ensuring care is personalized and meaningful.

3. The Policy Activist: Bridging Science and Practice

• Nurse policy advocates take findings from primary and secondary prevention to influence local, national, and global healthcare policies. Without them, science would remain in a vacuum, disconnected from practice.

A Bold Question: Should Nursing Have Been Redefined Decades Ago?

The author’s journey begs a bold question: If we had embraced theory-driven models like the NRIM decades ago, would nursing already be recognized as one of the most important scientific disciplines in healthcare?

• Why is nursing still fighting for recognition as a science?
• Why are nurses who conduct bench research questioned about whether their work is truly “nursing”?
• Why do some nurses feel the need to borrow theories from medicine or psychology instead of using nursing-specific frameworks?

The NRIM provides a path forward, proving that nursing has its own science, its own theories, and its own unparalleled contributions to healthcare.

Why This Matters for the Future of Nursing

To ensure the future of nursing as a thriving, independent discipline, we must:

1. Embrace Biopsychosocial Nursing: Acknowledge that nursing’s unique strength lies in its ability to integrate biological, psychological, and social perspectives into care.
2. Champion Theory-Driven Practice: Equip nurses with conceptual frameworks like the NRIM to ground their work in science and foster unity across diverse roles.
3. Redefine Nursing Education: Incorporate nursing theory into undergraduate and graduate programs to ensure all nurses understand the profession’s scientific foundations.
4. Promote Nurses in Research and Policy: Encourage and support nurses in leading precision science studies and influencing policies that improve care at all levels.

A Call to Action: Nurses, It’s Time to Reclaim Our Identity

?? What if nursing had been redefined decades ago as a science that transforms lives—not just through care, but through discovery and innovation?

The good news is that it’s not too late. We have the tools, the theories, and the science to reshape the profession. It starts with embracing models like the NRIM and empowering nurses to lead in research, policy, and bedside care.

Let’s reclaim nursing as the scientific powerhouse it truly is.

?? What do you think? How can we redefine nursing for the future? What changes are needed to elevate nursing as a scientific discipline?

?? Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s build this future together.

References

Casavant, S. G. (2020). At the intersection of science and theory: How the Nurse Role Integration Model reconciles the conflict. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 7(3), 378–381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.06.005

Amankwaa, L. (2018). Revisiting nursing theory: A call for philosophical inquiry. Nursing Philosophy, 19(3), e185.

Parse, R. R. (2016). Nursing science and art: A dichotomy or coexistence? Nursing Science Quarterly, 29(2), 101–102.

Fawcett, J. (2000). Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories. F.A. Davis Company.

Neuman, B., & Fawcett, J. (Eds.). (2011). The Neuman systems model (5th ed.). Pearson.

Johnson, M. (1991). Nursing theories in practice: Connecting research and theory. Nursing Outlook, 39(2), 9–11.