Consciousness

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to clarify the concept consciousness as it relates to human health and invite nurses to examine a variety of perspectives on the concept that may influence practice, education, and research. A review of American nursing, medical, psychological, and philosophical literature reveals a considerable range of theories that seem to connect forming a broad foundation for further study. Initial analysis of the concept yields a working definition that consciousness is the fundamental and thoroughly pervasive implicit field of all existence, both seen and unseen. Additionally, the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association human response patterns were found to provide a useful set of empirical referents. Further exploration and testing of these referents may stimulate important insights into the fundamental domains of nursing.