A theory is primarily a set of interrelated concepts giving systematic views of an explanatory and predictive phenomenon. In a professional discipline, a theory is significant because it describes, predicts and explains the phenomenon in relation to the specific profession. By so doing, a theory helps professionals to describe, explain, and predict daily occurrences in addition to experience in a particular field of profession thus making them more knowledgeable in the scope.
Focusing on the nursing theory, it is basically an organized systematic statement reflecting questions in the field of nursing. The objectives of such theories include among others the assessment of patient’s condition by utilizing various methods as well as the identification of patient’s needs in addition to the application of the theory to solve patient-related problems. As such, the nursing theory, therefore, plays a central role in the profession as a whole. Firstly, it enhances effective communication in the entire healthcare system because it builds common nursing terminologies to be used by nurses across all healthcare facilities. Secondly, the nursing theory provides the criteria for measuring the quality of nursing care and Holistic Nursing since the major exponent of nursing, caring, cannot be measured. Thirdly, it provides a base for nursing practice to help generate further knowledge and give direction on future development in the field. By so doing, the theory enables nurses to decide on what they know as well as what they ought to know for better service delivery.
All in all, theories are beneficial in all professional fields because they seek to guide professionals in their daily activities. For instance, in the educational sector, the theory gives the general focus for curriculum design, thus determines content. The scenario is similar in other disciplines. However, in order to benefit practice, the theory ought to be developed in cooperation with relevant stakeholders in the professional field in question.