Final answer:
Nursing theory is fundamental to the nursing profession as it supports practice excellence, strengthens the profession through informed decision-making, and extends its impact to other disciplines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nursing theory is important to the profession for several reasons. Contrary to the option suggesting that nursing theory is used only to guide research and not practice, theory actually informs both research and practice. The goal of nursing theory is to support excellence in practice, ensuring that care is provided in a well-founded and thought-through approach.
Nursing knowledge that is built on sound theory strengthens the profession by providing a strong foundation for clinical decision-making. Additionally, nursing theory is a useful tool for reasoning, critical thinking, and decision making, skills that are vital for providing high-quality patient care. Finally, nursing theory's impact extends beyond nursing itself, as it is used by other disciplines — influencing interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing the overall field of healthcare.