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For many students enrolled in NR501, this is an initial course for nursing theory. So, let's have a debate. Is nursing theory important to the nursing profession? In particular, is it important for nurse practitioners? Does theory inform nurse practitioner practice? If you believe that it is important, explain why it is useful. If you do not believe that it is useful, explain why nursing theory is not necessary to the profession?

Yes! I absolutely do believe that nursing theory is important to nursing and to nurse practitioners. Nursing theory is a huge asset when it comes to nursing practice as a whole. Theory is a baseline and principles to go off of in nursing practice. According to Colley (2003), theories can be defined as sets of established statements or rules that can be tested. Nursing theory provides structure for nursing practice. Nursing theory is a way of collecting and analyzing data to be able to describe, explore, and predict nursing practice (Parker & Smith, 2015).

Nurse theory in particular is important for nurse practitioners and their practice. Nurse theory informs nurse practitioner practice, theory allows nurse practitioners to have an idea (theory) of where to begin in nursing practice with patients. Nursing theory can describe, predicate and explain the phenomenon of nursing (Colley, 2003). Nursing theory is a foundation to build off; a way to help produce further knowledge and steer which direction nursing practice should develop in the future (Colley, 2003). Nursing theory can nurse practitioners figure out what they know and what they need to know when it comes to practice.

All in all the benefits of nursing theory is improved patient care, greater professional status for nurses, enhanced communication between nurse, and guidance for research and education (Colley, 2003). As providers it would benefit us to use nursing theories as our tools to help aid in patient care. Theory can be a very powerful tool in nurse practitioner practice to provide improved and efficient care to patients.

Colley, S. (2003). Nursing theory: its importance to practice. Nursing Standard, 17(46), 33+.

Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company.

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