The Fundamental Principles Of Knowing

For centuries the development of nursing knowledge has been influenced by numerous theorists and their respective theories. These theories have influenced, and continue to influence, nursing education, practice and research. (Johnson & Webber, 2005)

The first pattern of knowing, empirical knowledge, relates to the science of nursing, and is based on knowledge gleaned from research and objective facts. Moreover, empirical knowledge is obtained by systematic observation and testing, and then it is organized into laws and theories accepted by the scientific community. It seeks to describe, explain, and predict reality in the clinical setting and is used to develop nursing practices which enhance patient care. Therefore, empirical knowledge is used by the APN when implementing evidence-based practice in the clinical setting. (Zander,

The knowing addresses how nurses understand the knowledge. The doing of nursing entails the actions of nurses, bringing both knowledge and practice together (Butts and Rich, 2015). The four patterns of knowing, developed by Carper, include empirics. ethics, aesthetics, and personal knowledge. Empirical knowledge is the scientific aspect of knowing. It is based on general knowledge, and usually shared with other disciplines such sociologists and psychologists. Ethical knowledge involves morals and judgement. This is used when determining right or good acts in nursing practice, ensuring that the best decision is made and is right for the patient. Aesthetic knowledge, the art aspect of nursing, involve of the nurse’s understanding and acknowledgment of other’s living experiences. Showing empathy and respect to patients as they experience their life’s journey. Personal knowledge entails self-awareness and others, and interpersonal skills. These four patterns of knowing shows that nursing practice consist of holistic patient care, and not being solely scientific

It is essential in nursing to continue learning and applying knowledge to the everyday practice. In doing so, it is important to understand how to organize, test, and apply knowledge to nursing. Barbara Carper identified four fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing which are necessary for the teaching and learning of nursing. Carper's four fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing are defined as empirical, ethical, personal and

The framework for creating a therapeutic relationship is built on the nurse’s ability to show empathy towards the client. Empathy is being able to put oneself in the patient’s shoes, to feel the same things they feel

There are different types of knowledge and different ways of knowing. Four fundamental concepts of knowing in nursing highlighted by Caper (1978) are empirical, personal, ethical and aesthetic. He divided knowledge into two forms which are tacit and explicit. Tacit is insights and based on experience and not easily visible and expressible, difficult to share and communicate with others which is highly personal. Empirical sources of knowledge depend upon an individual’s manner of observing and responding to events in the outside world (Higgs et al, 2004). Whereas explicit is formal and based on rationality and easily can be expressed, shared, communicate which are highly universal principles. Rationalism comes from within the individual and

The purpose of this paper is to conduct an in depth exploration of the nursing care considerations of patients in a specific clinical area. Through the synthesis of prior knowledge, clinical experiences and skills, evidence based best practices, and care of patients a comprehensive care and teaching plan will be composed. Integration of critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, combined with evidence-based research will provide confirmation of nursing process comprehension. The inclusion of reviewed literature will further support knowledge and understanding.

So I bring up this controversial topic again, about both mental and physical health and how important it is to take some time out of our crazy busy lives as nurses just to sit with our patients for a few minutes to discuss their pain. By pain, I mean both mental and physical pain. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a situation I was involved in as a nursing student in the clinical setting and how I can critically analyze this situation using Carper’s Fundamental Patterns of Knowing in Nursing (1978). This model has helped many practitioners to consider what they learn throughout reflection on their experience within a holistic way.

Since its establishment as a profession more than a century ago, Nursing has been a source for numerous debates related to its course, methods and development of nursing knowledge. Many nursing definitions and theories have evolved over time. Furthermore it is in a constant process of being redefined.

Today’s nursing profession encompasses a variety of specialties and disciplines that demonstrate a wide range of phenomena. According to McEwin and Willis, in clinical practice, those phenomenon that are frequently seen aid advanced practice nurses in developing interventions and clinical protocols because they are said to be stable and reliable components of the practical nursing experience (McEwin & Willis, 2011, p. 47). The observed phenomena may or may not have had research studies associated with them in the past to concretely define them, and

Nursing is a unique profession which is built upon theories that guide everyday nursing practice. According to Taylor, Lillis, & Lynn (2015), “Nursing theory differentiates nursing from other disciplines and activities in that it serves the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling desired outcomes of nursing care practices” (p. 27). Many nurses may unknowingly apply a theory or a combination thereof, along with critical thinking to get the best outcome for a patient. Theories are used in practice today because they have been supported by research and help the profession uphold its boundaries. Most nursing theories consist of four concepts which are the patient, the environment, health, and nursing. Each patient is at the center of focus and they have the right to determine what care will be given to them using informed

According to Moran, Burson & Conrad (2017), nursing theories should be used to study a phenomenon of interest (Moran, Burson & Conrad, 2017). According to the authors, the “ways of knowing” are important concepts in the application of the nursing theory to practice (Moran et al., 2017): The authors explain that the 1. Empirical knowledge includes knowledge that is objective and quantifiable”. It is used for the purpose of describing, explaining and predicting the phenomenon of interest to nursing 2.

As we have learned during the duration of this course, there are multiple nursing theories that are used in everyday nursing practice that are taken from other disciplines. An example of a theory

The importance of the development of the science of nursing as a theoretical rationale for the practice of nursing. In the decades of the 1960s and 1970s, the development of nursing graduate programs initiates inquiry and reflection which enables make conceptual frameworks and educational preparation of nurses for the investigation, thus initiating a disciplinary development of incorporation of knowledge from other disciplines, producing a strong optimism in the nursing process and the scientific method. (Donalson S, Crowley D.1978) However, since that was published the fundamental patterns of nursing knowledge, occurred a change where practical, personal knowledge and intuition, which are part of a broader knowledge of nursing that has produced an impact on the discipline, allowing a conception from several paradigms or views that represent the nursing currently is recognized.

The nurses provided holistic care and provided immediate intervention as needed for the patient. As a nursing student I observed the nurse, and helped her to provide an excellent care for the patient. I monitored the vital signs and informed abnormal vital signs to my nurse. As I was performed focused assessment on my patient, I observed very combative behavior which could be due to the severe pain. I provided oral care, checked gastric residual, and I was also able to draw some blood. I was able to observe great teamwork within the nurses also among other interprofessional team, like respiratory therapy. For example, while turning the patient all the nurses would come to assist and respiratory therapist would also come to make sure the patient gets enough oxygen prior to movement. Cooperative and coordinated works among the team members diminishes the conflict and foster a smooth function in the health care field. In caring for my patient, nurse’s important tool is the therapeutic use of self. Each of us views things differently; therefore the important quality of the nurse is empathy that enables the nurse to understand how the patient feels. As a nurse it’s our goal to help our patients obtain the maximum level of restorative health. According to Williams, C. (2008), “Emotions of caring and compassion for our clients promote clients trust and, in turn, facilitate our ability to promote client healing” (p.4).I provided a comfortable environment to my patient, and I observed my nurse. In order for nurses to be competent they have to use effective communication skills for giving feedback, clarifying tasks and patient status and resolving conflict. Abundant knowledge and skills of the nurse enhances to improve our patient’s health. Therapeutic touch of nurse has a great impact on patient’s conditions. We need to also identify our patient’s goals and help them to meet those goals. The