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This paper presents the content of an innovative nursing education model that emerged from a collaborative faculty leadership challenge to conceptualize a new vision for nursing curriculum.  The thinking nursing framework is explored as an education model to guide students in the organization of their knowledge.  The framework creates connections between thinking and doing nursing within the context of evidence-based practice.  The philosophical underpinnings of the thinking nursing framework within the context of evidence-based practice will be creatively discussed by sharing chocolate chip cookies.  Creative utilization of chocolate chip cookies will serve as a metaphor for chaos theory in a parallel discussion around leading change for faculty to embrace this framework.  The metaphor also creates a bridge for students to connect the abstract ideas of theory, the diverse nature of inquiry, and the unique context of practice. The paper provides a foundation for discussion and exchange of ideas about our work as nurse educators, the debate around the discipline’s theory-practice gap, and the impact this has on leading change within nursing education and professional practice.