Reflections on nursing teaching in the post-modernity era and the metaphor of a theory-practice gap

Abstract

This article presents a theoretical reflection on nursing teaching. First, we contextualize the topic regarding the globalized world and the repercussions of its paradigms on mankind and, consequently, on nursing students' learning. Next, we focus on the theory-practice gap established in the nursing learning. Educators are expected to show students the relevance of integrating these different types of knowledge. Moreover, to play a pivotal role in a process that helps students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations, reducing the difference between what is considered ideal and what is real. The bio-psycho-social-economic-cultural model values the care for the individual in the different organizational contexts and can base the practice. Another inquiry that emerged is about the extent to which we have assisted others in their corporal, mental, spiritual and noetic dimensions, in addition to the attention delivered to the care-giver.