Do we really use theory at the bedside?

I was recently asked, "What does theory have to do with bedside nursing?" I find that nurses utilize theory in each decision. The use of theory is often an unconscious decision based on scientific, experiential, and theoretical knowledge. These decisions may be referred to as “gut” decisions.

Consider the nurse who focuses on the cause and effects of medication and treatments may unconsciously be taking a positivist theoretical approach. In contrast, a nurse who tends towards the expectation that the patient takes ownership of care and complies with treatment may be taking a functionalist theoretical approach.  

At the most basic, nurses consciously or not, tend to subscribe to Florence Nightingale's philosophy and four concepts of nursing (Environment, Person, Health, and Nursing). That is the nurse uses their brain, heart, and hands to create healing environments to care for the patient holistically, through their mind, body, and spirit.