Practice Without Theory: A Philosophical Inquiry into Contemporary Nursing in South Asia

Nursing Practice without Theory

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18552/ijpblhsc.v12i2.1068

Keywords:

nursing, nursing science, practice, profession, theory

Abstract

The paper critically examines the prevalent sentiment among nurses in practice who reject the necessity of nursing theory. Through a philosophical lens, the author challenges this assertion, emphasizing the pivotal role of theory in contemporary nursing practice. The discussion explores the broader purpose of theory, detailing its relevance to nursing and its instrumental role in empowering nurses for the future of the profession. The paper contends that theory is indispensable in today's practice, especially in South Asian countries facing healthcare disparities. It traces the evolution of nursing in this region from a vocation to a profession facilitated by nursing theories. Without theory, nursing in South Asia may risk reverting to a stage where nurses are perceived as powerless and marginalized. In conclusion, paper advocates for a better understanding of the intricate link between theory and practice to empower nurses and positively impact the future of profession in region.

References

Asmat, K., Dhamani, K., Gul, R., & Froelicher, E. S. (2022). The effectiveness of patient-centered care vs. usual care in type 2 diabetes self-management: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in public health, 10, Article 994766. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.994766

Benner, P. (1982). From novice to expert. AJN: American Journal of Nursing, 82(3), 402-407.

Chinn, P. L. (2012). Scope of nursing practice (Editorial). ANS: Advances in Nursing Science, 35(4), 285.

Colley, S. (2003). Nursing theory: its importance to practice. Nursing Standard, 17(46), 33–38.

Cutcliffe, J. R., & McKenna, H. P. (2011). The Essential concepts of nursing: Building blocks for practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Davis, F. D. (1989). Technology acceptance model: Information seeking behavior and technology adoption, 205, 219.

Doody, O., & Doody, C. M. (2012). Transformational leadership in nursing practice. British Journal of Nursing, 21(20), 1212-1218. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2012.21.20.1212

Doyle, M., & Jones, P. (2013). Hodges' health career model and its role and potential application in forensic mental health nursing. Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, 20(7), 631-640. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2012.01961.x

Fahrenwald, N. L., Bassett, S. D., Tschetter, L., Carson, P. P., White, L., & Winterboer, V. J. (2005). Teaching core nursing values. Journal of Professional Nursing, 21(1), 46–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2004.11.001

Henderson, V. (1966). The nature of nursing: A definition and its implications for practice, research, and education. Macmillan.

Holden, R. J., & Karsh, B. T. (2010). The technology acceptance model: Its past and its future in health care. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 43(1), 159-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2009.07.002

Iskandarani, L. S., Al Hammadi, A. M., & Al Gizani, R. A. (2012). Importance of nursing theories as a basis for practice. Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences, 19(1S), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.4197/MED.19-1S.8

Jones, P. (1996a). Humans, Information, and Science. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24(3), 591-598. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1996.23321.x

Jones, P. (1996b). An overarching theory of health communication? Health Informatics Journal, 2(1), 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1177/146045829600200105

Howatson-Jones, L. (2016). Reflective practice in nursing. Learning Matters.

Karnick, P. M. (2016). Evidence-based practice and nursing theory. Nursing Science Quarterly, 29(4), 283–284. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318416661107

King, I. M. (1981). A theory for nursing: Systems, concepts, process. John Wiley & Sons

Leininger, M. M. (1991). Culture care diversity and universality: A theory of nursing. National League for Nursing Press.

Masters, K. (2014). Nursing theories: A framework for professional practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

McCrae, N. (2012). Whither nursing models? The value of nursing theory in the context of evidence‐based practice and multidisciplinary health care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(1), 222–229. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05821.x

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2021). Overview of theory in nursing. Theoretical basis for nursing, (5th ed, pp 49-71). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

McLeroy, K. R., Bibeau, D., Steckler, A., & Glanz, K. (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 15(4), 351-377.

Meleis, A. I. (2011). Theoretical nursing: Development and progress. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Merrium-Webster. (2002). Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/.

Nightingale, F. (1860). Notes on nursing: What it is and what it is not. Harrison.

Orem, D. E. (1995). Nursing: Concepts of practice. Mosby. (Original work published 1971)

Peplau, H. E. (1987). Interpersonal constructs for nursing practice. Nurse Education Today, 7(5), 201-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/0260-6917(87)90002-5

Powers, B. A., & Knapp, T. R. (2010). Dictionary of nursing theory and research (4th ed.). Springer publishing company.

Selanders, L. C. (2010). The power of environmental adaptation: Florence Nightingale’s original theory for nursing practice. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 28(1), 81-88. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010109360257

Wagner, E. H., Austin, B. T., & Von Korff, M. (1996). Improving outcomes in chronic illness. Managed Care Quarterly, 4(2), 12-25.

Watson, J., & Woodward, T. K. (2010). Jean Watson’s theory of human caring. In M. E. Parker & M. C. Smith (Eds.), Nursing theories and nursing practice, (3rd ed., pp. 351-369). F. A. Davis Company.

Downloads

Published

2024-12-17

How to Cite

Asmat, K. (2024). Practice Without Theory: A Philosophical Inquiry into Contemporary Nursing in South Asia: Nursing Practice without Theory. International Journal of Practice-Based Learning in Health and Social Care, 12(2), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.18552/ijpblhsc.v12i2.1068

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2024): International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Kainat Asmat

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a  Creative Commons License "Attribution-NonCommercial No Derivs 4.0 International" (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) which permits others to use the publication as long as the authors are appropriately cited.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
  4. The Author grants to Coventry University an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive licence to publish this article in this journal in addition to the licence granted at paragraph 1 of this copyright notice.