The problem of bracketing in phenomenology.

Phenomenology has become a popular approach for nursing inquiry, yet certain questions about the methodology have not been fully addressed in the literature. Specifically, the technique of bracketing is often regarded as a way of indicating scientific rigor in the phenomenological approach, yet a precise description of how it is achieved and why it is appropriate in individual studies has sometimes been overlooked. The author reviews philosophical roots of phenomenology and discusses the issue of using bracketing within hermeneutic frameworks. A fresh interpretation of bracketing is offered in an effort to resolve the incongruity of employing the technique within essentially hermeneutic research.

The proving grounds: combat nursing in Vietnam.

PURPOSE: The profession of nursing has been greatly influenced by war, and the heroic nature of the work of nursing is often emphasized during war. The purpose of this research was to examine the stories of nurses' experiences during combat in Vietnam and identify themes that would corroborate, refute, or expand prior historical research. ORGANIZING CONSTRUCT AND METHODS: A content analysis to determine recurrent themes was performed on 18 oral histories of military nurses who served in Vietnam that were previously collected and published. Analysis of these collections of oral histories was conducted, and thick quotes contextualize and substantiate the thematic claims. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: This research confirms the analysis of prior historical research on nursing in Vietnam by finding similar experiences recorded in oral histories and further claims that an authentic professional identity is often forged during the hardships and heroic opportunities of war.

Chronic fatigue syndrome versus neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome:differential attributions.

Since 1988, when the term chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was coined, considerable discussion has occurred about stigma associated with this diagnostic term. In particular, patients with CFS have felt that this term trivializes the serious nature of this disorder. A Name Change Work group, appointed by the CFS Coordinating Committee, developed an umbrella term: chronic neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome (CNDS), and proposed that there would be sub-types under this term, one being CFS. The present study examined attributions of this new umbrella term when compared with CFS. Nurses and physician assistants (PAs) were presented a case study of a patient with symptoms of CFS. They were told that the patient had either "chronic fatigue syndrome," "chronic neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome," or "chronic neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome, which had formerly been called chronic fatigue syndrome." The different terms led to different attributions, with PA respondents rating the "CNDS" label as more severe. Results suggest that a more medical sounding term (CNDS) may lead to attributions that this syndrome is a more serious, disabling illness. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.

A phenomenological study of the art of nursing: experiencing the turn.

This study contributes to an understanding of the art of nursing by defining and focusing on the nurse's experience in achieving the object of nursing art. Nursing art is conceptualized as a transition that the nurse helps facilitate with a patient who has become "stuck" in some way. The request posed to participants was: "Tell me of your experience in helping a patient turn a corner in his or her illness and come to see his or her situation in a new way." This research resulted in three sets of findings; only those relevant to transitions are presented here.