Nursing knowledge is primarily based on which of the following?

Nursing knowledge is primarily based on nursing research because it provides an evidence-based foundation for practice. Nursing research involves systematic investigation to establish facts or principles specific to nursing and patient care. This research contributes to the development of theories, enhances clinical practices, and informs guidelines for treatment and interventions, ensuring that nurses provide the highest quality of care based on proven methods.

Incorporating evidence from nursing research not only improves patient outcomes but also advances the field as a whole by challenging existing practices and integrating new findings. This reliance on research solidifies nursing as a scientific discipline, distinct from intuition, provider recommendations, and agency policies, which may lack the rigorous validation that research offers. While those other components can influence nursing practice, they do not form the core empirical basis of nursing knowledge as effectively as research does.