What is the main characteristic of nursing theories?

The main characteristic of nursing theories is that they aim to explain and predict nursing phenomena. Nursing theories provide a framework for understanding the complexities of nursing practice, including the interactions between patients and nurses, the processes of care, and the outcomes of nursing interventions. By offering systematic insights into how nursing works and the factors that influence patient care, these theories enable nurses to base their actions on a well-founded understanding of the nursing process.

This predictive and explanatory quality is vital because it helps nurses anticipate patient needs, guide their assessment and interventions, and improve overall patient outcomes. Nursing theories also facilitate research and development within the profession, making them essential for advancing nursing practice.

While the other options touch on important aspects of nursing, they do not encapsulate the primary function of nursing theories the way that the focus on explaining and predicting does. For example, while distinguishing nursing from other health professions is important, it does not capture the essence of what nursing theories aim to achieve. Similarly, while providing historical context might be valuable for understanding the evolution of nursing, it is not the central characteristic of nursing theories themselves.