Ways Of Knowing In Nursing Theory

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

The first pattern of knowing in nursing presented is the Empirics: the science of nursing. Carper (1978) described this empirical knowing as factual evidence and proven medical research or documentation used for patient treatment. This empirical knowledge is vastly related explanations and predictions from facts and things that have been proven. This author believes that most of this scientific evidence or knowledge stems from books and clinical experiences gained in healthcare facilities under the leadership of trained educators or licensed medical providers. This author believes this because as a nursing student, she will learn nursing techniques such as inserting foley catheters, and doing injections first by observing the nursing

Nursing theory is the backbone of nursing. It is very important in the application of evidence-based practice (EBP). The functions of a theory are to narrow and provide specific information for the analysis of initially confusing behaviors, situations, and events (Fawcett & Madeya 2013). Moreover, nursing theory helps to improve not only the quality of care that we are providing to our patients but, they also help us make better clinical decisions. As a matter of fact, nursing theory gives the nurse a framework for organizing and analyzing information as well as a base for identifying with their patients throughout the nurse-patient relationship (Schick, 2015). I am very much interested in all the theories. The one that I relate to the most is Hildegard Peplau’s theory. It is a middle range theory that focuses on interpersonal relations. This theory teaches us about how to interact with our patients so that they feel more in control of their treatment. In this paper, I will be talking about the importance of nursing, the summary of Peplau's theory, and how as future nurse practitioners, we can apply it.

Personal knowledge is the most ambiguous of the five patterns of knowing. Much of this is due to the fact that there is no way to neither verbalize nor teach personal knowledge, yet it is deemed, “the most essential to understanding the meaning of health in terms of individual well-being” (Carper, 1978, p. 18). Personal knowledge describes the awareness of not only one’s self but also the patient as an individual with worth, and the meaning of the moment (Chinn & Kramer, 2008). While it cannot be articulated, personal knowledge is expressed as a “genuine self” and can be partially conveyed through written works such as autobiographies and stories of meaningful interactions (Chinn & Kramer, 2008, p. 7). Being a form of knowledge that is incapable of being

expected John to pay of his debts. John would not pay of the debts and made

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)

Carper (1978) identified four fundamental patterns of knowing which are (1) empirics, or the science of nursing; (2) personal knowledge; (3) esthetics, or the art of nursing; and (4) ethics, or the moral component of nursing. The purpose of this discussion is to explain how each pattern of knowing affects this author’s practice, and to identify the author’s preferred paradigm and provide justification for choosing this paradigm.

The purpose of the nursing theories is to provide an interrelating framework focusing on the nursing practice. The defined nursing theories promote better patient care, improve the status of nursing profession, and improve the communication between the nurses, and provide guidance to the researches and education (Keefe, 2011). Not all nursing theories have the same meanings; however, they play the important role of explaining the key concepts and principles of nursing practice in understanding way.

The five fundamental patterns of knowing are empirical, aesthetical, personal, ethical and sociopolitical. The patterns or ways of knowing help with the development and application of nursing knowledge. Empirical knowing embodies “factual and publicly verifiable descriptions, empiricism and theoretical explanations or predictions” (Carper, 2012 p.25). In my Oncology setting the science of nursing is very relevant to practice. I use science daily in calculating body surface area for chemotherapy drugs, chemotherapy protocols and febrile-neutropenia protocols with the initiation of specific antibiotics are some examples. Empirical knowing provides facts from empirical research for nursing care and interventions. Aesthetical knowing is known as the “art and act” of nursing, it highlights empathy. This pattern of knowing recognizes the nurse’s perception of what is significant in an individual patient’s behaviour (Carper, 2012). I utilize the art of nursing by acknowledging the patient’s feelings and being present for them during a difficult time and the ability to establish a meaningful connection with the patient.

The article discusses its argument, stating that men are being oppressed in today’s society, similar to how women once were. The article argues it’s three main points: that men are negatively portrayed in the media, restricted of their necessities at schools, and always viewed guilty in the eyes of society and the law. The issue raised is whether or not men are truly being oppressed in today’s world. The article concludes stating that the only difference between the ways men are currently being treated and the ways women were once treated is that men do not fight back.

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.

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

There are many different nursing theories that are significant to nursing practice, because they help nurses to examine what is already known, and what additional knowledge and skills are required in variety of nursing situations. They provide basis for nursing practice, as well as some additional tools, that help with delivery of better care to patients and caregivers. Finally, nursing theories improve professional status for nurses and provide guidance and direction for research and education (Colley, 2003).

Esthetics Knowing- this is the art of nursing .it is intuitive, expressive and the creative part of nursing but difficult to verbalize. Here the nurse takes action before the real situation occurs hence the question, how did she know this beforehand?

Nursing science provides the basis for professional nursing practice. Nursing theories provide the critical thinking structures to direct the clinical decision- making process of professional nursing practice. The relationship between theory, research, and practice is circular in nature. As new knowledge and discoveries emerge in each of these realms, the cutting edge of the art and science of the discipline of nursing evolves.