Final answer:
In nursing theory, it is essential to describe healthcare phenomena, explain why and how they occur, and predict future outcomes. Nursing theories should allow for predictions and models that are testable and observable in practice, and they must be adaptable to improve their predictive abilities in line with new evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In nursing theory, one should describe, explain, and predict the phenomena relevant to nursing practice. To describe means to delineate the aspects of healthcare, patient response, and nursing interventions in a precise and detailed manner. The purpose of explanation is to provide an understanding of why certain processes and events occur in the health domain. To predict involves estimating what is likely to happen in the future, given certain conditions or interventions.
When constructing a nursing theory, similar to forming a hypothesis in the scientific method, the idea is to create a framework that allows for predictions that are testable and can be observed in practice. If the hypothesis is found to be true, new models can be developed that improve the predictive ability of the theory, hence refining and evolving the practice of nursing.
Furthermore, nursing theories must be dynamic, as they need to adapt to new findings and changes in healthcare settings. When evidence shows that certain models lack predictive accuracy, they should be modified or replaced to ensure that nursing practice remains evidence-based and relevant.