I think that while many non-academic practicing nurses are not able to recite the names of theorists and their associated theories by memory they are in fact using certain theories in practice (depending upon the area of nursing). Nursing is becoming increasingly more evidence-based practice because our practice is being guided by theory and has been proven with research. I think that the drive from academics to emphasize nursing theory is to elevate nursing so that nursing can be respected as a both a profession and a healthcare dicipline (among the ranks of medicine, physical/occupational therapy, pharmacy etc.)