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Abstract
Background: Nursing theories provide the foundation for evidence-based nursing practice; however, their implementation in clinical settings remains limited.
Objective: This study aimed to assess nurses' knowledge, identify perceived barriers, and explore strategies for implementing nursing theories in clinical practice.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 218 registered nurses using a structured questionnaire.
Inclusion Criteria: The study population comprises all registered nurses working at services hospital settings who are directly involved in patient care and have at least 6months of clinical experience to apply nursing care theories in practice.
Exclusion Criteria: Nurses working in administrative, managerial, or academic roles who are not involved in direct patient care Student nurses, interns, or trainees who have not yet achieved full professional registration, Nurses with less than the minimum required clinical experience (e.g., less than 6 months or 1 year), Nurses who decline to participate or do not provide informed consent. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,
Results: Nurses demonstrated moderate knowledge, while actual implementation was lower than expected, indicating a theory–practice gap. Heavy workload, lack of time, inadequate training, limited institutional support, and insufficient resources were identified as major barriers.
Conclusion: Strengthening nursing education, organizational support, and continuing professional development can enhance the implementation of nursing theories and improve evidence-based patient care.