Introduction

There is much existing discussion of the theory-practice gap in nursing. This

refers to the disconnect between the knowledge nurses gain in the classroom
and the real-world application of that knowledge. I believe this gap is widening
as nursing education evolves slower than the rapidly changing healthcare
landscape. However, others argue that the gap has always existed and is
simply being brought to light by increased scrutiny (Safazadeh et al., 2018).
Therefore, I cannot deny that the theory-practice gap in nursing is a real
phenomenon. However, it is important to remember that it is not unique to
nursing. The key is to balance academic learning and real-world experience
(Safazadeh et al., 2018). By nurturing both sides of the equation, we can help
ensure that nurses are fully prepared to meet the challenges of their
profession head-on.

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Explanations and Examples

There are several gaps between theory and practice in the nursing profession.
This phenomenon is portrayed in the nursing field, where the demands of the
job can often be at odds with the idealized version of care taught in nursing
school. There are many reasons for this discrepancy, but some of the most
common include a lack of time, insufficient resources, and unrealistic
expectations (Greenway et al., 2019). One of the most significant theory-
practice gaps in nursing is the time nurses spend with their patients. In an
ideal world, nurses would be able to spend as much time as necessary with
each patient, providing personalized care and attention. However, the reality is
that nurses often have to care for multiple patients at once, making it difficult
to provide the level of care they would like. As a result, nurses may find
themselves resorting to shortcuts or making decisions based on what is
expedient rather than what is best for the patient.

Another common theory-practice gap in nursing relates to resources. There

may be a lack of resources or support available to put theoretical knowledge
into practice. While the theory-practice gap can present challenges, several
ways exist to overcome it. Nursing schools typically teach students about the
different resources available to them, such as medication, therapy, and
support groups (Saifan et al., 2021). For example, nurses can seek out
opportunities for continued education, create action plans for putting
theoretical knowledge into practice, or develop partnerships with other
healthcare professionals. However, these resources may be scarce or
completely unavailable in many real-world settings. This can leave nurses
frustrated and helpless when trying to care for their patients.

Conclusion

In recent years, there has been increasing discussion of the theory-practice

gap in nursing such as the expectations of the nurses. Several factors can
contribute to this gap. For example, nurses may not have adequate time to
apply theoretical knowledge in practice, or they may not feel confident in their
ability to do so (Saifan et al., 2021). This theory-practice gap that is common
in nursing relates to the expectations of the nurses and patients. Nursing
school typically portrays a high-paying, stable, and satisfying career. However,
the reality is that nursing can be a very demanding job that is often underpaid
and undervalued (Greenway et al., 2019). This discrepancy can lead to
feelings of disillusionment and even burnout among nurses. While there will
always be a certain amount of theory-practice gap in nursing, nurses must be
aware of it and take steps to minimize it. By understanding the reasons for the
gap and taking steps to address them, nurses can help ensure that they
provide the best possible care for their patients. By addressing the theory-
practice gap, nurses can help to improve patient care and outcomes.

References

Greenway, K., Butt, G., & Walthall, H. (2019). What is a theory-practice gap?
An exploration of the concept. Nurse education in practice, pp. 34, 1–6. Web.

Safazadeh, S., Irajpour, A., Alimohammadi, N., & Haghani, F.

(2018). Qualitative research explores the reasons for the theory-practice gap
in emergency nursing education. Journal of education and health promotion,
p. 7. Web.

Saifan, A., Devadas, B., Daradkeh, F., Abdel-Fattah, H., Aljabery, M., &
Michael, L. M. (2021). A qualitative study is a solution to bridge the theory-
practice gap in nursing education in the UAE. BMC Medical Education, 21(1),
1-11. Web.