<p>Aim To explain how Heidegger’s phenomenology can be applied to investigations of practitioners’ experiences and enhance research of roles.</p> <p>Background The application of phenomenology in nursing research has been subject to strong criticism. A recent phenomenological investigation of nurses’ experiences of mentoring students has shown the value of applying Heidegger’s ideas to understand practitioners’ experiences.</p> <p>Data sources The author’s experience of conducting a hermeneutic phenomenological study and influential literature.</p> <p>Review methods An inquiry into the author’s application of Heidegger’s philosophy to an empirical study.</p> <p>Discussion Heidegger’s phenomenology was based on his concept of ‘dasein’, denoting existence as ‘being in the world’. These ideas of existence are discussed in relation to the experiences of practitioners. A nurse or other practitioner’s experiences of practice are explained according to three modes of being: absorbed in practice, noticing practice and contemplating practice. The paper shows how this layered understanding of a person’s lifeworld can be incorporated into the design of empirical research.</p> <p>Conclusion Heideggerian phenomenology provides a defendable framework in which to examine experience of practice.</p> <p>Implications for practice/research Given the expanding diversity of nursing roles, this methodology offers a route for improving our understanding of the implications for the nurses occupying particular roles.</p>