Practice Applications

There has never been a more critical time than the present to honor nursing theory. It has never been more important that nursing theory be taught at every educational level. It is imperative to define and understand it. Nursing theory is a ubiquitous, tenuous phrase. What is nursing theory? Why is it important? As a discipline, nursing is divided in stance on various levels such as, entry to practice, the nursing doctor-ate, and others. However, this is the time to insist that nursing theory be the basis of every level of practice. It is necessary to define theory so that the members of the profession comprehends its meaning, importance, and value. Here, nursing finds its great divide. Nurses may think they know what theory is but they really do not nor are they clear as to why theory is criti-cal to the profession. What essential knowledge is consid