The purpose of this study was to determine if a metaparadigm exists within the discipline of nursing. Thomas Kuhn's conceptualization of a metaparadigm served as the basis for the research. A metaparadigm refers to a common set of concepts, a common understanding of these concepts, a common cognitive mind set and a common view of the discipline among a community of scholars within a discipline. The concepts in nursing's metaparadigm are person, health, environment and nursing.

Six major questions guided this research which focused on determining the level of agreement among heads of nursing education programs with regard to the concepts in nursing's metaparadigm, their definitions, research methodologies appropriate for the development of nursing science and theoretical content necessary for inclusion in baccalaureate nursing programs.

The design of the study was a descriptive survey. Data from one hundred sixty doctorally prepared heads of nursing education programs were collected using a Likert type questionnaire developed by the investigator. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.

The findings of this study support the existence of a nursing metaparadigm. This research empirically demonstrated that nurse scholars in chairperson, dean or director positions in baccalaureate nursing are in agreement concerning the core concepts of their discipline, the definitions of these concepts, the goals and purposes for which their discipline exists, the legitimate research tools and methods for the further development of their science as well as the appropriate theoretical underpinnings necessary for effective baccalaureate education.