Re‐reading nursing and re‐writing practice: towards an empirically based reformulation of the nursing mandate

摘要: This article examines field studies of nursing work published in the English language between 1993 and 2003 as first step towards an empirically based reformulation mandate. A decade ethnographic research reveals that, contrary to contemporary theories which promote image centred on individualised unmediated caring relationships, real-life practice core contribution is that healthcare mediator. Eight bundles activity comprise this intermediary role are described utilising evidence from literature. The mismatch nursing's culture ideals structure constraints setting a chronic source practitioner dissatisfaction. It argued profession has little gain by pursuing agenda holistic patient care emotional intimacy alternative occupational mandate focused mediator function might make for more humane health services viable professional future.