Abstract
The existence of dogma, the unquestioning adherence to authority and tradition, is well documented as a barrier to knowledge development. Numerous examples of dogma can be found in nursing, particularly in regard to the nature of nursing as a discipline and practice of nursing. While authority and tradition provide a foundation of stability and consensus, blind faith is to be avoided. In this paper, the critical examination of examples of dogmatic belief is encouraged so that clear and useful characterizations of the nature of nursing may be developed.

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