ABSTRACT
Objective:
to present Thomas Kuhn's theory and its applicability for epistemological evaluation of the Nursing Graduate Program.
Method:
reflective analysis with a guiding question: How can Thomas Kuhn's theory contribute to an epistemological evaluation of the Graduate Nursing Program?
Results:
the Nursing Science in its historical process of realization has been facing numerous challenges that impose themselves to scientific knowledge: having an accurate and robust philosophical basis that justifies and legitimizes the knowledge of the area to support its assertions; dwell on the object of his science; have clear the field of discipline and its relationship with the related sciences, establishing interdisciplinary dialogue. To base scientific production on objects proper to nursing, to seek appropriate methods to approach them without disregarding the knowledge of nurses' experiences and accomplishments may be the guiding thread that enables Nursing Science to be linked to the pragmatics of the profession and Cheers. This has been the challenge for the nursing scientific community. The elements of Kuhnian theory are presented: pre-science, normal science, crisis and revolution; points out a hypothesis to be tested by the researchers of the program. If the hypothesis is true, Nursing Science approaches the paradigmatic level and will manifest itself in pragmatics through the scientific nursing discipline. If rejected, there will be a new classification for the area.
Conclusion:
the corpus doutrinae of the profession requires qualitative self-assessment of an epistemological nature. Thomas Kuhn's thinking can support this assessment.
DESCRIPTORS:
Nursing; Knowledge; Philosophy; Search; Science