Review : The theory-practice gap and student nurses

Abstract

■ The theory-practice gap in nursing is a multi-factorial problem ■ Different types of knowledge are used in nursing; some have more credence and value than others ■ Learners are often underestimated by clinical staff, they can provide sophisticated care while being relatively inexperienced ■ 'Reality shock', is perhaps due to a lack of student's emotional readiness to deal with the daily stresses that nursing entails