Theory-guided, evidence-based practice is the

hallmark of any professional discipline.

As nursing is a professional discipline, nursing
theory is a framework designed to organize
knowledge and explain phenomena in nursing, at
a more concrete and specific level.
Nursing theory is the terms given to the body of
knowledge that is used to support nursing
practice. Each discipline has a unique focus for
knowledge development that directs its inquiry
and distinguishes it from other fields of study
(Smith and Liehr 2008)
A nursing theory is a set of concepts, definitions,
relationships, and assumptions or propositions
derived from nursing models or from other
disciplines and project a purposive, systematic
view of phenomena by designing specific inter-
relationships among concepts for the purposes of
describing, explaining, predicting, and/or
prescribing
Nursing Science is an identifiable discrete body
of knowledge comprising paradigms, frameworks
and theories. The integration of nursing theories
into practice demonstrates an evolutionary
pathway for introducing a paradigm shift in the
essence of the science of nursing.
Patient safety and quality initiatives as well as
magnet status continue to mandate that nurses
practice from a framework of professionalism. A
sound evidence based practice advances the
overall nursing administration too. Nurse leaders
guided by a conceptualized practice have an
opportunity to transform health care.
A theoretical perspective allows the nurse to plan
and implement care purposefully and proactively.
When nurses practice purposefully and
systematically, they are more efficient, have
better control over the outcomes of their care,
and are better able to communicate with others.

Health care agencies can designate a specific

nursing theory to guide the nursing practice within
the entire organization.
Using Nursing Theories helps to
guide nursing practice. It-
•helps to guide organize data,
•understand and analyze patient
data, and
•make appropriate decisions related
to nursing interventions.
For example, the Transcultural Theory of
Nursing by Madeleine Leininger serves as basis
for nurses to make decisions in terms of
respecting the cultural and religious beliefs of
some racial, ethnic, or cultural groups.

An example is the belief that it is not good to

have blood transfusion among specific religious
groups and because of this transcultural theory,
nurses are able to understand the belief of this
group and therefore advocate for the client’s
preferences.
Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care theory, provides
nurses with a solid basis for assisting their clients
and giving them the opportunity to express
independence and control in caring for
themselves. Health education on self-care when
the patient is ready to be discharged comes from
the principles of self-care and the concepts
discussed in this theory.
It is important for nurses in this current era to see
themselves as professionals having intellectual
bases for actions and decisions. Critical thinking is
highly valued today, as the general trend is to
offload more and more of the doctor’s task to the
nurse practicioner. By using the nursing theories
that fit your nursing practice, you become more
confident about your decisions and it opens you
up for more self-reflection towards professional
development, more personal growth and more
room for innovation.