Nursing theory is
the term given to the body of knowledge that is used to
support nursing practice.
In their professional education nurses will study a
range of interconnected subjects which can be applied to
the practice setting. This knowledge may be derived from
experiential learning, from formal sources such as
nursing research
or from non-nursing sources. To speak of nursing theory
is often difficult. Nursing is many things to many
people. Most universally agreed upon is that Nursing is
a science involving people, environment and process
fueled by a vision of transcendence in the context of
healthcare. It is interesting to note that 90% of all
Nursing theories have been generated in the last 20
years. Many schools encourage students to formulate
theories of Nursing as part of their curriculum. Some
might argue that this multiplicity of theory is
detrimental to the practice and undermines common
vision. Others would say that the nature of the young
science is sufficiently far reaching to require such
tactics in order to elicit true consensus. It cannot be
denied, however, that there is much vanity involved in
the formulation of nursing theory. The pages of "Nursing
Science Quarterly", a major mouthpiece for Nursing
Theory, are rife with examples of semantical
hair-splitting.
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