J Prof Nurs. 1993 Jan-Feb; 9(1): 56-62.

Therapeutic syncretism: a conceptual framework of persistence and change for international nursing.

Upvall MJ.

Department of Nursing, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff 86011-5035.

International nursing, as well as the entire nursing profession, has committed itself to a change paradigm. An alternative to the change paradigm has been proposed to account for elements of stability and persistence. This alternative, therapeutic syncretism, is defined and described, emphasizing an individual's effect on the syncretic process. Finally, the Kingdom of Swaziland illustrates therapeutic syncretism in action as the nation, nurses, and indigenous healers reflect qualities of persistence and change.