Background: Scholarship is a hallmark of all professions and includes research and practice scholarship. Building the science for practice and care is a major responsibility of each profession.
Methods: The purpose of this article is to define clinical science as it applies to neuroscience nursing as well as to establish the foundation for the work of the Clinical Science Committee of the American Association of Neuroscience Nursing.
Conclusions: Research scholars conduct investigations for discovery of new knowledge. Practice scholars develop clinical knowledge through clinical practice and experience and an inquiring mindset that questions why and how certain methods or processes contribute to the achievement of certain outcomes; they look for better ways to improve processes of care and practice that will achieve optimal evidence-based outcomes. Scholarship in both research and practice domains is critical to the advancement of neuroscience nursing. Many opportunities exist for neuroscience nurses to contribute to clinical science.