In this course, the student will explore the philosophical evolution of nursing knowledge as an art and a science. Using a transformation theory base, the student will analyze a variety of nursing theories, concepts, and models, and the root of her/his own perspective of nursing practice. Major emphasis will be placed on the use of a theoretical framework to direct the processes of assessment, clinical judgment, care planning and evaluation. The interrelationship of systems theory and nursing theories, and their application to practice is examined.