Learning in the Third Room—A Way to Develop Praxis by Embracing Differences Between Theoretical and Practical Knowledge

Abstract

Contradictions between theory and practice are well known in nursing. To this end, this article discusses a learning strategy that might facilitate the capture of the dialectic between theory and practice, equally valid components of a nurse's competence, giving the 2 forms of knowledge equal relevance. Using a virtual platform (ie, the “third room”) decreases the power order between different forms of knowledge. Nurses, students, and teachers all contribute to a seminar using nonhierarchical structures and concepts to capture the knowledge that enables to learn the praxis of nursing.