THEORY PRACTICE GAP IN NURSING1Theory Practice Gap in NursingNursing as a profession is still recovering from undesirable perceptions from the not toodistant past. Positive changes have occurred and continue to advance the image of nursing. Thesechanges include the need to promote the Bachelors of Science degree as entry level forrecognition as an RN while promoting graduate level degrees. Additionally, the advancement ofnursing as a profession has been challenged with the development of a universal nursing theory.Many of the nursing theories have general consistencies and over lapping themes but lacknursing specific applicability. There is wisdom and truth residing in the recognized nursingtheories but they are not entirely specific to the profession of nursing. Their foundationalconcepts are largely derived from other social sciences such as sociology and psychology. Theapplication of nursing theory to actual nursing has been limited. Historically Nursing has
