Abstract

Nursing theory and differing sources of nursing knowledge have focused the argument that nursing theory and nursing practice must be founded on a scientific base. The phrase "evidence based" is increasingly entering the discourse around nursing effectiveness and has captured the attention of managers, because of its seeming potential to rationalize costs in healthcare provision, and researchers, because of its association with problems related to lack of adoption of research findings in nursing. A potential exists to broaden the chasm between the art and the science of nursing, when the art of nursing is gaining credibility. This paper challenges the current of evidence-based practice. It argues that the two concepts, when viewed through the postmodern lens, are not necessarily an oxymoron.