Question

Should all practice be based on theory. what are the rationale and cited a source as evidence

Answer 1

Ans. Practice research, and theory are the cornerstones of the nursing profession. The relationship of these three cornerstones are reciprocal and cyclical. Clinical practice generates research questions and knowledge for theory. Research guides our practice and build knowledge through theory development. Theory guides research and improve practice. Practice, research, and theory and discuss the theory-practice gap as an impediment to theory-based practice.

Effective nursing practice requires the application of knowledge, skills, caring, and art to care for patients in an effective, efficient, and considerate way. An important part of the knowledge used in making nursing clinical decisions is produced by research findings. Ideally, all patient care decisions should be based on research-evidence. In any discipline, science is the result of the relationship between the process of inquiry and the product of knowledge .The relationship between research and theory is reciprocal where research generate more knowledge and theory. Theory can also be used to guide the research process by generating and testing phenomena of interest. The primary purpose of theory in the profession of nursing is to improve practice by positively influence the health and quality of life of patients.Practice is the basis for the development of nursing theory whereas nursing theory must be validated in theory. There are several factors that contribute to the theory-practice gap. Nursing theory and practice have been viewed as two different and separate nursing activities. Nursing theories contain concepts and construct that must be explained before applying them to practice.

Finally, practice often develop without theory, and knowing theory is not a guarantee for good practice. To promote the nursing profession’s ability to meet the societal obligations, there need to be an ongoing reciprocal and cyclical relationship among theory, practice, and research. This will help close the perceived “gap” between theory and practice and promote the theory guided practice. Nursing leaders must work toward keeping the reciprocal and cyclical relationship among theory, practice, and research by bridging the “gap” between theory and practice. These can be done by continued interaction between nursing researchers and practicing nurses. Second, we need to increase undergraduate and graduate student nurses’ exposure to theoretical principles. As well, we need to stress theoretical concepts, constructs, and principles following the completion of formal education. Finally, we need to address current healthcare and nursing issues from theoretical perspectives.Theory guided practice, in the form of practice theory, is the future of nursing. Practice theories are narrow, circumscribed theories proposed for a specific type of practice. To provide effective, efficient, and holistic care, nurses must rely on sound theoretical principles to develop and implement the plan of care.

student nurses to learn the value of evidence-based practice, in order to provide high-quality care. It is never too early. EBP is a based on research, evidence on best practices, and the consideration of individual patient's needs, preferences. It will help you provide a higher level of care.

Theory guided practice in nursing by Usama S. Saleh