Having read the Mary Curtis definition of culture (letters July 30) several times, I still haven’t a clue what she is saying. In admitting this, it unwittingly confirms Colley’s argument that theory is neglected by some nurse clinicians as it is too obscure (art&science July 30). To create universally accepted theoretical models requires professional stability. The role of nursing continues to develop at an almost breakneck pace and, by definition, theoretical knowledge takes time to be tested and universally accepted. Unless academics understand this then theory will always lag behind, rather than underpin, practice.