Final answer:
Theory in nursing practice is vital for providing guidance, improving patient care, and informing healthcare policies. It serves as a lens through which nurses can focus on patient care and is essential for the legitimization and advancement of the nursing profession.
Step-by-step explanation:
Theory is essential to nursing practice because it serves as the foundation upon which nursing knowledge is built, offering a systematic approach to understanding patient care and outcomes. The role of theory can be likened to a lens that helps in focusing on various aspects of nursing, thus aiding nurses in making informed decisions.
Considering the impact of social theories such as structural functionalism and conflict theory, it's clear that they provide essential frameworks that help explain the complexities of healthcare and patient interactions. Additionally, the critical theories of health serve as a powerful tool in identifying and addressing healthcare disparities and social inequalities that affect health outcomes.