Divided into three sections, this book covers the nature of nursing knowledge, the nature of nursing practice and the professional practitioner. This design enables students to explore the origins of nursing knowledge, examine how this impacts on nursing practice and ultimately how, as professional practitioners they can develop their own practice and influence that of others. The intended audience will be studying at both diploma and degree level, thus the depth of discussion within the text will promote both critical analysis and some degree of evaluation. Each chapter commences with a brief overview of its content and intended learning outcomes, supplemented by areas and activities for study and reflection which can be undertaken alone or in groups.