[The focus of discipline in nursing: clarification with ontologic basis]

The discipline of nursing is enhanced by the contributions of theoricians, researchers and practitioners in nursing who created ways that promote the knowledge development of nursing. The contribution of ontology allows for the clarification of the nature of reality from which stem the visions about phenomena to be studied. In nursing sciences, these visions are embedded in two different paradigms that influence the nature of the focus of the discipline as well. Some statements about the focus of the discipline are analysed and rules allowing for the choice of a coherent heuristic mode are set forth according to the chosen paradigm. The coexistence of paradigms deserves the respect of the different visions and the engagement to evaluate the theories of the discipline in relation with the values grounding our service to the society.