Intuition in nursing relationships: the result of 'skills' or 'qualities'?

Maintaining the scientific orientation of health and nursing care systems has resulted in a lack of focus on nurses' intuitive knowledge base. Consequently, confusion exists as to whether intuition in nursing is the result of acquired skills, or is dependent upon the inherent qualities of the individual. In deconstructing the apparently intuitive process of building rapport, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) can offer insight, suggesting that rapport building depends on learnt skills that have moved into unconscious competence. The examination of nurses' intuitive knowledge, in order to identify underlying skills, needs to be just as rigorous as the acquisition of scientific knowledge. Examining intuitive knowledge can be achieved within a framework of reflective practice to counter the inherent dangers of an increasingly scientific approach operating within a caring profession.