Objective: to identify the theoretical and methodological elements of care applied by nursing professionals in two health institutions of the Department of Atlantico. Methods: descriptive, cross-sectional study, the sample consisted of 60 nurses from two health institutions. Data collection was done through a questionnaire, with significant variables recorded, data analysis was calculated on absolute frequencies and percentages. Results: predominantly the age group from 23 to 27 years old 43%, the female gender 100%, 76% reported difficulties in the application; Dorotea Orem 78% in the Application of theories Florence Nightingale 73%, among others. Conclusions: The nurses indicate that if they received knowledge about the subject in the undergraduate course, but in practice some do not apply it; A worrying situation, because the importance of the scientific and philosophical principles guiding the profession is not recognized.