[Contribuction of nursing theories to build knowledge in the area].

In this essay some aspects concerning the phenomenon of knowledge and of the activity of knowing are taken into consideration, serving to the authors'purpose to point out the perspective from which they understand which have been the contribution of the nursing theories for the construction of the knowledge of the area. The nursing theories select, define and interrelate concepts representative of phenomena that are in the nursing domain of interest. To guarantee the understanding and the recognition of the meaning of the concepts included in these theoretical frameworks is a basic aspect, therefore it raises their potential of practical applicability, either in education, research or nursing care.