Nursing's knowledge base: does it have to be unique?

An International Seminar held at the University College of Health Sciences, Jonkoping, Sweden, in May 1996, was the stimulus for this article. The purpose of the seminar was to consider the contribution that nursing theory has made to the development of the profession and to identify ways in which this contribution could be enhanced. This article briefly traces the emergence of nursing theory and argues that despite its relatively short history, theory has failed fully to inform practice and is increasingly seen as irrelevant. It is suggested that two trends--the abstract and esoteric nature of much nursing theory and the desire to create a unique' body of nursing knowledge--must be countered before theory can establish its value. It is argued that these are manifestations of professional and academic insecurity which nursing must overcome before it can reach maturity.