A Multiparadigmatic Model for a Holistic Nursing

Based on a primary study (Santos, 2011) focusing the integration of non-conventional therapeutic modalities in the nursing care process, a secondary analysis of the findings was performed in order to answer the following questions: What conception guides nursing practice when using non-conventional therapeutic modalities? What is the place of holistic nursing in nursing’s theoretical development? The analytical expansion, as a way of doing secondary analysis, led to organize the reflection in four dimensions: evidence of the utilization by nurses of non-conventional therapeutic modalities; holistic care is nursing’s choice; a multi paradigmatic model for a holistic nursing; the place of holism in health and nursing paradigms. We believe this is a contribution for the clarification of nursing’s identity and consider further research to be necessary. Key-words: model, nursing model, nursing intervention, unconventional therapeutic modalities.