Title: Nursing Theory and Practice | Ohio University
Headings: Nursing Theory and Practice: Examining the Connection
Nursing Theory and Practice: Examining the Connection
What Is Nursing Theory?
The Importance of Converting Theory into Practice
Advanced Practice Nurses and Nursing Theory
Apply Nursing Theory and Practice in Your Career
Recommended Readings
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Content: Needs theories, which aim to address a patient’s mental and physical needs. Interaction theories, which address the relationships between nurses and patients. Outcome theories, which focus on the nurse’s role as the driving force of change for the patient. Humanistic theories, which emphasize individual patients’ needs and the patient’s role in promoting their own health and well-being. Nurses, medical scholars, and other health care professionals are often the ones who develop nursing theories. Theories emerge from making assumptions and then conducting research — such as through academic studies or hands-on clinical experience — to propose models, concepts, and beliefs based on those assumptions. Theorists might conduct their own studies or use past nursing studies and propositions to further theory development and evolve nursing practices. The Importance of Converting Theory into Practice
Professionals develop nursing theories to inform nursing practice, advance care strategies, and improve patient outcomes for a better quality of life. Nurses can apply them to all six steps of the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, outcome, planning, implementation, and evaluation.