Looking at discourse in a literature review of nursing texts

The issue of knowledge has generated much literature, recently from writers influenced by post-modernism. These writers argue that an epistemological space has existed since the time of the Enlightenment with which anyone concerned with value or truth has to grapple. The analysis of nursing texts detailed in this paper gives an account of such grappling. The link between discourse, knowledge and power is also explored. Using a discourse analysis approach, this paper offers an examination of nursing texts on research, education, professionalization or conceptualizations known as nursing models. It argues that groups in nursing have responded to the dominant biomedical discourse by seeking to re-establish their activities within a different discourse, one involving caring, holism and, within research, a qualitative approach. Others have aligned their search for appropriate truth claims with feminist projects. After examining some of these responses, this paper attempts to point to some of the problems of aligning a professional strategy with one of political emancipation and philosophical shift. The paper argues that the issue of a philosophical and moral base for nursing is particularly crucial at a time when so-called market rationalism dominates not only in health care but in an increasing range of human activities.