How can we achieve evidence‐based practice if we have a theory–practice gap in nursing today?

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how nursing can achieve evidence-based practice when a theory-practice gap exists in nursing today. The paper commences with an introduction to the concept of evidence-based practice and a discussion of the relationships between theory, practice and the theory-practice gap. An analysis of the two concepts will then be presented from within the four pillars of nursing, namely management, practice, research and education. The paper will conclude with a discussion of whether evidence-based practice can be achieved in view of the theory-practice gap.