Importance of Theory in Nursing

Nursing theories are models that use common language to answer questions about nursing practice in way that makes sense. The four successively more abstract types of nursing theoriesc are practice theory, middle range theory, grand theory, and metatheory.

History

• Originally designed to define the scientific base of the nursing profession, nursing theories help nurses organize the way they deliver professional care to patients.

Defining Practice

• Nursing theory guides nurses as they describe, predict, explain and control phenomenon related to their practice.

Benefits

• Nursing theories serve as a shared foundation for nursing practice across all settings to improve patient care outcomes. They define boundaries for nursing within multidisciplinary organizations.

Significance

• A nurse uses nursing theory to develop a certain perspective about her patient care. When she identifies questions the theory can't answer, the nurse can try to answer those inquiries through education or nursing research. (See Reference 2)

Application to Practice

• While there is still a significant gap between theory and practice in nursing, some nursing theories have been implemented in clinical settings. Patricia Benner's novice to expert model, for example, is used to help new nurses gain clinical competency.