Abstract

The research purpose was to identify a common metaparadigmatic worldview entitled Universals of Nursing from which to derive a model for nursing knowledge. This descriptive study included: identifying shared elements of a common worldview for nursing; deriving a matrix for nursing knowledge based on the consensus of elements universal to nursing; and deriving implications of this framework in directing nursing administration, education, practice, and research. ;A three round Delphi method research design was used. The purposive sample of nurses was obtained at two international conferences. ;Results of the first round questionnaire described the universals of nursing in teleological; epistemological; and ontological dimensions. Chi-square analyses were used to test associations between these responses and the nurse sample characteristics. ;Results of the round two and three Universals of Nursing surveys indicated consensus on the importance of all 45-items. The top five items included: delivering and promoting skilled, high quality nursing care to clients; preserving and respecting the dignity of clients when dying; maintaining accountable, ethical conduct in the delivery of care; providing non-discriminatory, non-judgmental nursing care; and assessing and directing nursing care to serve the needs and welfare of clients. T-test analyses were used to test significant differences in mean scores between round two and round three on the universals of nursing items. ;Principal components factor analysis was used to examine relationships among the 45-items on the final consensus round, and develop these items into universal theoretical constructs. Eleven factors with eigenvalues of greater than one accounted for 72% of the variance. Factors were labelled: nursing parlance for practice; ascension to professional integrity; nurse/client emancipation covenant; nursing's canon of rectitude; creating societal vitality; nursing's benevolence via egalitarianism; obligatory research continuum; holistic systems management; nursing's art and science; support of individual liberties; and health promotion education. ;The Universals of Nursing framework provides information for nursing to develop its own authentic nomenclature and knowledge base. This nomenclature is necessary for nursing to attain professional autonomy, and promote its practice in society.