Abstract
Nursing's recognition of the importance of patient education is evident in nursing's history and in the work of early nurse theorists. However, to date, there has been no clear articulation of a nursing framework specific to this essential aspect of clinical care. A nursing perspective for patient education based on a conceptualization of caring is presented. This perspective includes explication of philosophic views for nursing and patient education. A middle-range theory for patient education is generated from this philosophic premise.