The “theory-practice gap,” as some have called it, has prevented our profession from full utilization of its knowledge base in practice, and has impeded the view of nursing as a theoretically based discipline, to its detriment.

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QUESTION 1

The “theory-practice gap,” as some have called it, has prevented our profession from full utilization of its knowledge base in practice, and has impeded the view of nursing as a theoretically based discipline, to its detriment. There are distinctly different viewpoints to this argument, based on the different perspectives of academics and theoreticians on the one hand and that of practitioners on the other. Being honest about your reaction, and applying critical thinking skills to the question, where do you stand on the issue, and why?

QUESTION 2

Barriers have existed, especially in the past, which have impeded the work necessary to develop the knowledge base of nursing. Many of these barriers are related to issues of gender and knowledge in a female-dominated profession like nursing. What are your views on the way in which gender has inhibited our growth as a knowledge-based profession and the view others have of our professional status?

QUESTION 3

Conduct a literature search based on Barbara Barnum’s discussion of the theory elements of content, context, and process. Pick one of these and discuss how it may be applied to your own practice.

QUESTION 4

The development of the discipline of nursing has gone through many stages of philosophical debates. Justify the relevance and utility of the knowledge of theory development to your practice.