title: Nursing theory and practice: connecting the dots.
abstract: The authors propose connecting the dots among theory, practice, and research by adopting an expanded conceptual-theoretical-empirical structure of nursing knowledge and matrix process to guide the placement of nursing knowledge in a contextual whole. An overview of the theoretical journey of nursing knowledge development is contrasted with the journey from practice resulting in a theory-practice disconnect. Both approaches are united to present an integrated view of the dimensions of the knowledge development of nursing as a professional discipline.
authors.affiliation: East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Jo-Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Marrs
authors.forename: Lois W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Lowry
mesh_terms: D003210:Concept Formation; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008128:Logic; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000145:classification / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000145:classification; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011361:Professional Competence; D013850:Thinking; D018875:Vocabulary, Controlled