Theory development emphasis began and now has transitioned to reach the theory utilization era and theory-based practice essential for the growth of nursing profession.

The experiment of preparing nurse scientist in other disciplines ended and the direction for the development of the discipline was clarified and led to an immediate expansion of nursing doctorate programs.

Nursing began the move into higher education. Graduate programs were developed, and nursing research began to be conducted as nursing developed as a scientific discipline.

Why is it made?

It guides nursing practice and generates knowledge It helps to describe, predict or explain a phenomenon Enables nurses to know "why" they are doing "what" they are doing

• Often called the building blocks of theories

• Abstract & concrete; can be discrete or continuous concepts

• Mental formulation of an object or event that come from individual perceptual experience

• A representation to better understand, explain or predict something

• Represent relationships, flows, structures or interactions

pattern or the arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.

Accepted "truth" that are basic and fundamental to the theory

• Constitutes connection or relationship of concepts of a theory

• Is a statement of how and why specific facts are related