is nursing theory important to nursing practice

Woodenpug, BSN · Jul 12, 2009

If my knowledge and quality of education do not support the veracity of my opinion, does another's knowledge and quality of education support the veracity of the opposite position?

If most of the profession was moving away from the use of nursing theories, would that make the use of nursing theories less valid?

Once we get away from sophism, I'd enjoy discussing "is nursing theory important to nursing practice."

And to save one step. If I were to say "in the future one day we will have a nursing theory that proves that nursing theories are not important to nursing practice," would that be valid.

Moogie · Jul 21, 2009

I know this is one of the "sacred cows" here on all nurses, so opposing thoughts are poorly tolerated. Still, I don't see nursing theories as important to nursing practice. Nursing theories are useful to nursing practice. Nursing theories are also useful to cleaning the garage or doing yard work. I can describe how a positive outcome is related to a nursing theory. That positive outcome is not dependent on the nursing theory and would have happened anyway.
Would I be able to support my position by saying, "I must be right, because my theory professor was excellent?" If I could prove that my theory professor was excellent and that I got an A, would that make my opinion more correct?

Well, you they say that sacred cows make great hamburger. :)

Honestly, I have enjoyed this discussion. It has helped me to understand why I enjoy and value theory and others simply don't. I hope I haven't come across as (too) closed minded or (too) poorly tolerating other ideas.

Now, about your comment that nursing theory can be useful in doing yard work----my yard is a mess, the garden needs weeding and if you'd like to come over and put those theories into action... :chair: I do hope you know I'm kidding.... :sofahider