Conceptualising nursing theory and practice within a local cultural and professional context: a methodological example to inform theory development

Background: Nursing theories are crucial toward orienting the development of knowledge and practice. However, there is a persistent debate in the literature regarding the gap between theory and practice. Theories and conceptual models developed in Anglo-Saxon countries are often proposed within diverse educational and clinical contexts in other countries, generating challenges in their application in practice. Aim: This study aimed to develop and propose a methodology to promote the advancement of nursing theorising, considering local cultural and professional contexts. Methods: This analysis was conducted within Italy, which served as a local cultural and professional context exemplar for this investigation. A Scoping Review was used to map local nursing knowledge related to nursing practice. Fawcett’s metaparadigm was used as a general orienting frame for the literature analysis. Results: In light of the analysis conducted, the four disciplinary concepts related to the local (Italian) cultural and professional context were described (person, environment, health, nursing). Conclusion: This investigation aimed to present an example of how an inductive reflective approach can be used as a way to map nursing practice and define disciplinary concepts that can guide conceptual/theory development. The knowledge that was generated can orient initiatives to promote local nursing theory development.