Abstract

The philosophy underpinning the system of primary nursing and how it relates to the reconstruction of nursing merits consideration. This includes examination of the relationship of primary nursing to the concept and practice of caring; the movement of nursing to humanitarianism from pragmatism and the relationship to a process rather than a traditional system of nursing. Arguments concerning these topics are presented here and discussed in relation to the experiences and practice of a group of nurses in a Coronary Care Unit (CCU) before and after the introduction of a system of nursing based on the primary care philosophy.