Why does nursii^ need theory?
The last 25 years have witnessed a growing support for and recogmtion of the importance of nursuig theory, both m educahon and praertice This paper seeks to explore this movatrait anel also the issues in theory development, study and apphcation Definitions of theory are reviewed, and hnked to the puipose of theory and theory development in nursing The ongins and motivahon for developmg nursmg theory are idenhfied, and arguments for the use of theory m
nursmg are raised Further identified, queshons likely the profession for decades
questions from the eiiscussion of these issues are
to provide contmued debate and mveshgation withm to come