Moving forward in our adventure of nursing theories and theorist, we advance to Patricia Benner. She also focuses on caring in health care but incorporates clinical wisdom and ethics into nursing practice.

According to Alligood and Tomey (2010), Benner studies the clinical nursing practice in an attempt to relay the knowledge and ethical decision making that is embedded into every practicing nurse. She states that this clinical knowledge and critical thinking ability accrues over time through relationships with family, patients, co-workers, and in the situations nurses find themselves in on a daily basis.

Benner is known for her ability to differentiate between practical and theoretical nursing knowledge. I believe the difference to be that theoretical knowledge is the knowledge that is acquired in school and practical knowledge is the knowledge that you gain through experience in the clinical setting. Can you think of an experience where you gained practical knowledge that was different from your theoretical knowledge you were taught?

Did you know that Benner's theories are often used as a basis for professional staff development programs?
Also, many orientation programs for nursing programs, universities, and hospitals are based on Benner's model. Check out this website, articles, and videos of how Benner uses her own model in helping nurses excel.
http://www.educatingnurses.com/

http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Patricia_Benner_From_Novice_to_Expert.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxsBVPxS_zg



Patricia Benner

References

Alligood, M. R. & Tomey, A. M. (2010). Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier.