Connection between Theory and Practice - Coursework Example

Connection between evidence-based practice and Grand nursing theories Nursing theories offer nursing-specific identifications, explanations and correlations of concepts (Basavanthappa, 2007). This gives the nursing profession distinction from the rest of science and medical professions. In nursing, the association between nursing theory and practice is symbiotic (Meleis, 2007). As Basavanthappa (2007) asserts, theory without practice is unimaginative, and practice devoid of theory is visionless.

In essence, theory is paramount to effective nursing practice and research. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), grand nursing theories comprise of theoretical structures defining comprehensive viewpoints for practice and ways of looking at nursing phenomena based on viewpoints. On the other hand, evidence-based practice is the thoughtful and critical use of nursing theories to guide the nursing process (Parker & Smith, 2010). The association between grand theories and evidence-based practice is grounded on the descriptions, predictions and explanations inscribed in the grand theories to respond to questions on nursing phenomenon (Meleis, 2007).

The evidence acquired through the study of these questions, due to the degree of relevance and specificity, in turn is more directly applicable to nursing practice (McEwen & Wills, 2014). In essence, grand theories offer an overall framework for structuring of nursing interventions. For instance, a well-defined body of theory such as Orem’s Self-care grand nursing theory offers better patient care, guidance for research and education and enhanced profession status for nurses (Parker & Smith, 2010).

In essence, grand theories offer an overall framework for structuring of evidence-based nursing interventions (Meleis, 2007).Professional nurses use grand theories to collect, organize and categorize patient data and understand, scrutinize and interpret patient’s health conditions (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Notably, theoretical concepts from grand theories guide all the stages of nursing processes, including planning, adoption and assessment of nursing care, while also delineating the desired reactions to care and outcomes of care (Basavanthappa, 2007).

ReferencesBasavanthappa, B. T. (2007). Nursing theories. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers. Meleis, A. I. (2007). Theoretical nursing: Development and progress (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.McEwen, M., & Wills, E. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Parker, M. E., & Smith, M. C. (2010). Nursing theories and nursing practice (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA:  F. A. Davis