title: Problems in the development, use and testing of nursing theory.
abstract: This paper identifies and describes seven areas of difficulty in the development, use, and testing of nursing theory. These problems are as follows: (1) the belief that there are absolute truths about nursing and that these truths can be found; (2) a lack of understanding of the definition and functions of theory; (3) the notion that there is only one theory of nursing and that this theory can account for all nursing activities; (4) the belief that members of the profession must all agree on the theory or theories that should be used; (5) the failure to empirically validate the theories that have been developed; (6) the failure to allow for modification of existing theories; and, (7) the failure to develop theory from and relate theory to clinical practice.
mesh_terms: D009729:Nursing; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing