Introduction:

Nursing is considered a scientific discipline whose epistemological foundations are constituted by concepts of the meta-paradigm, patterns, and vision of knowledge. The analysis of these elements within specific situations of the practice allows the building of knowledge, which in turn, contributes to the improvement of practice.

Objective:

Based on nursing epistemological elements framed within Kristen Swanson’s Theory of Care, to analyze a nursing professional practice narrative in a hemodialysis ward.

Development:

A nursing narrative was developed on the lived situation of a nurse attending a hemodialysis ward. The following discipline meta-paradigm concepts were analyzed: person, health, care and environment. The following patterns were analyzed: personal, empirical, ethical, and aesthetical. Finally, the vision of nursing was also analyzed. The Theory of Care of Kristen Swanson, with its five processes, facilitated the understanding of the meaning of the situation and the nurse-patient relationship.

Conclusion:

As a research methodology to be considered by health professionals, the narrative approach highlights the importance of building on the process of scientific knowledge based on the reflexion of the corresponding epistemological elements.