To dwell within: Bridging the theory–practice gap

Abstract

Nursing has a considerable history of theory development but has consistently struggled to reconcile theoretical reality and practice realities. Many authors have attempted to reconcile what has been called the “theory–practice gap,” but the space where these two realities enmesh has remained problematic and contentious (Aimei, Macau Journal of Nursing, 14, 2015, 13; Factor, Matienzo, & de Guzman, Nurse Education Today, 57, 2017, 82). The idea of the theory–practice gap has a significant history in nursing, but also continues to have a significant presence within nursing literature and mythology up to the present (Aimei, Macau Journal of Nursing, 14, 2015, 13). In this paper, the space between theoretic reality and practice reality, as evidenced by the theory–practice gap, will be examined. A Heideggerian perspective of “dwelling” (Heidegger, 1971, Poetry, language, thought, New York, NY: Harper Colophon) will be used as a guiding discourse to move nursing away from this classic tension between theory and practice, towards a perspective where theory and practice are woven together as part of one reality.

Coronavirus and Cardiometabolic Syndrome

“…New information should be well-communicated to HCPs in live educational activities and in printed and web-based materials. Practice gaps correspond to failures converting information into action ( 75 ). The identification of champions and team members, adequate funding, administrative support from sponsoring organizations, and innovative leveraging of technology can optimize lifestyle medicine programs.…”

Value of research-based master’s degree theses

“…The theory-practice gap mentioned by Eriksson (18) refers to the idea of a significant divide and tension between the theoretical ideas from academic nursing and the realities of practice. Zieber and Wojtowicz (19) pointed to the importance of moving nursing away from this classic tension, toward a perspective where theory and practice are integrated as part of a single reality. What is important is the way nurses bring together theory and practical reality.…”

Nursing students’ perceptions and experiences of reflective practice: A qualitative meta-synthesis

“…It is well known in many nursing schools that a gap between the integration of theory and practice exists (Corlett, 2000;Zieber & Wojtowicz, 2020). Reflective practice in nursing curricula is particularly important where practice is complex and dynamic.…”