Major Concepts The major premise of her work is knowledge. She wants to "discover and describe" the role that knowledge has in the nursing practice. She calls her work "articulated research" and it distinguishes a difference between practical and theoretical knowledge (Tomey and Alligood, 2006, p. 142). According to Benner: Knowledge development in a 'practical discipline ' consists of extending practical knowledge (know-how) through theory-based scientific investigations and through the chartings of the existent 'know-how ' developed through clinical experience in the practice of discipline (Tomey and Alligood, p. 142).
Although this idea may seem common sense, it is the basis for all of the work that Benner has produced. She sees that knowing how to do something is different than the theory of scientific event and often practical knowledge can be more important than the theoretical framework that has been taught. Practical knowledge can also be developed before the scientific theories can be born. Benner saw that different clinical settings could create many different clinical experiences. In her view clinical experience is what makes new knowledge available to the practicing nurse and this information creates better nurses. When practice and theory are used together, they promote a harmony experience and allow nurses to see more possibility in their practice (Tomey and Alligood, p. 143). Benner later met Hubert Dreyfus who studied phenomenology and she adapted much of his work to the nursing profession. The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition became the model for Benner 's Novice to Expert Theory.
Five Stages of Benner 's Theory Benner 's model suggest
References: Chitty, K.K. and Black, B.P. (2005). Professional nursing: concepts and challenges. Fifth Edition. Missouri: Saunders Elsevier. Courtney, K.L., Alexander, G.L. and Demeris, G. (2008). Information technology from novice to expert: Implementation implications. Journal of Nursing Management. 16, p. 692-699. Current Nursing (2009). Development of nursing theories. Retrieved September 25, 2009 from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/development_of_ nursing_theories.htm. Tomey, A.M., and Alligood, M.R. (2006). Nursing theorists and their work. Sixth Edition. Missouri: Saunders Elsevier.