Background Kuhn’s (1962) acknowledgement of a paradigm as a way that scientists make sense of their world and its reality gave recognition to the idea of ‘paradigm shift’. This shift exposes the transience of paradigm development shaped by societal and scientific evolution. This ongoing evolutionary development provides the researcher with many paradigms to consider regarding how research is undertaken and the search for understanding achieved.

Aim An understanding of paradigm development is necessary when planning a study and can shape the search for understanding. It is hoped that the discussion presented here will assist novice and experienced researchers in articulating the rationales for their paradigm choices.

Discussion An overview of the dominant paradigms is presented, reflecting ongoing paradigm development shaped by ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives. Potential paradigm choices that shape research aims, objectives and focus in the search for understanding are considered.

Conclusion The inherent debates about paradigm shift, division, war and synthesis leave the researcher many perspectives to consider. Articulating the world views underpinning constructivism, interpretivism and pragmatism is particularly challenging because of the blurring of boundaries between them.

Implications for practice The evolutionary nature of paradigmatic development has provided nurse researchers with the opportunity for methodological openness to the myriad research approaches, methods and designs that they may choose to answer their research question. However, it is imperative that researchers consider their ontological stances and the nature of their research questions. This is challenging in constructivism, interpretivism and pragmatism, where there is often an overlap of paradigm world views.

By interweaving explanations of the science of lymphoma with reflections on her own experiences of the condition, the author has produced a unique and engaging book that offers a great deal more than many others on the subject.

By interweaving explanations of the science of lymphoma with reflections on her own experiences of the condition, the author has produced a unique and engaging book that offers a great deal more than many others on the subject

This phenomenological study explored the lived experience of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Open interviews were conducted with nine people diagnosed with fibromyalgia. All participants outlined long and complex journeys involving ‘a diagnosis of elimination’ and the difficulties of living with an ‘invisible’ illness, which results in loss of friendships and family roles, and places restrictions on daily life. Most participants experienced a general lack of understanding of the condition, such as being told ‘it is in your head’ by healthcare professionals.

Findings reveal the impact of fibromyalgia on people’s lives and the need for responsive, person-centred, supportive services, which primary care nurses are ideally placed to provide.

The authors of this book have written a comprehensive text that demystifies the more scientific aspects of multiple myeloma through the inclusion of figures and images.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of multiple myeloma, enabling nurses to respond effectively to patients’ questions about their illness and treatments.

This article provides nurses with an update on diagnosis, management and care of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a complex group of disorders of the bone marrow. MDS has wide-ranging effects on patients’ lives. Understanding the effect of a diagnosis of MDS on patients’ quality of life is an important part of the nursing role and includes consideration of physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing. Many treatment options are available and nurses can educate patients on recognising and managing side effects. While there have been promising developments in management, nurses should ensure that patients and their families have a realistic understanding of MDS and ensure that they are aware that treatments other than haematopoietic stem cell transplantation are non-curative.

The treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer has improved significantly in the past two decades. Several new targeted drugs and chemotherapy agents have been approved since the late 1990s, resulting in significant improvements in overall survival. However, these advances have physical, psychological and economic implications for patients and their families as treatment may now extend over many years. Oncology nurses are ideally placed to help patients manage the side effects of treatment through comprehensive assessment, education and prompt management, which will support them to maintain the best possible quality of life.

Aim To explore the experience of psychiatric nurses who work in the community caring for clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Method A qualitative design was adopted. Purposeful sampling was used and ten community psychiatric nurses underwent semi-structured interview. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results The nurses’ understanding of BPD and their experiences of caring for individuals with the condition were varied. Participants identified a number of specific skills required when working with clients with BPD, but the absence of formal clinical supervision to support nurses was a particular difficulty, and training on BPD was lacking.

Conclusions Although community psychiatric nurses found working with these individuals challenging, they also reported on the rewards in seeing clients making progress.

This article aims to provide nurses with an update of best practice in caring for patients living with a diagnosis of myeloma. Targeted treatments for myeloma have resulted in extended survival for patients. However, extended survival results in disease- and treatment-related side effects that have a profound effect on patients’ quality of life. Nurses can support patients to manage their illness and treatment, and promote an improved quality of life.