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Nursing Theory and Nursing Knowledge

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Describe how nursing theory has helped facilitate the development of nursing knowledge.

The nursing profession has progressed greatly since it roots with Florence Nightingale, moving from reliance upon total medical direction for providing basic care and “the first duty of the nurse it that of obedience-absolute fidelity to his orders, even if the necessity of the prescribed measures is not apparent, you have no responsibility beyond that of faithfully carrying out the directions received” (Jennifer C. Telford), into an autonomous practice with its own nursing theory practices, models, and interventions.

Theories are a set of interrelated concepts that give a systematic view of a phenomenon (an observable fact or event) that is explanatory and predictive in nature (Nursing Theories: a companion to nursing theories and models, 2013). Without theory what steps would be taken next, would we as nurses remain static in our fields never growing. That is not an option. A big reason for research and theories is for the development of knowledge that can then be applied in the nursing fields and or education of future nurses (Ida T. Bjork, 2013). It closes the gap between possibilities to practice. “A major drive to knowledge translation is the potential and need for improvement in clinical care (Ida T. Bjork, 2013).

“It should provide the foundations of nursing practice, help to generate further knowledge and indicate in which direction nursing should develop in the future. Theory is important because it helps us to decide what we know and what we do not need to know” (Nursing Theories: a companion to nursing theories and models, 2013).

From theory we have the stepping stones into a number of directions, ways to care, why to care that way, what if we don’t care that way. The professional knowledge base of nursing is unique to our function. We have made advances

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