Clinical nursing is about the direct contact between the person and the nurse. Clinical nursing as an academic subject is linked to everyday practice, but must be carried out using relevant and reliable knowledge. Competence in clinical nursing is developed though practical experience, systematic application of research based knowledge, critical thinking and reflection.

Clinical nursing as a science encompasses research directed at phenomena linked to the direct contact between nurse and patient. The knowledge derived thereof is presented as research based knowledge, education or theory. Research based knowledge is thus the link between clinical nursing as a profession and as a science.

The correlation of the diverse areas

In a perspective of clinical nursing, quality of education and actions leads to improvement and preservation of health, while knowledge on health and well being affect nurses actions and the contents of the education.