Abstract

This paper introduces the notion of open‐mindedness before proceeding to outline its value to the practical activity of nursing. An argument is constructed to point to the desirability of the development of a virtue of open‐mindedness in nurses in order to complement evidence‐based practice. Attention is drawn to two failures of open‐mindedness (the vices of closed‐mindedness and credulousness), which have the potential both to restrict autonomous practice and to cause harm.