Ways of Knowing Essay Example for Free

Ways of Knowing Essay 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. Empirical knowing is based on the belief that what someone knows is objective and attainable through our senses (Chinn Maeona, 2011). Empirical knowledge is created through research to test hypotheses. This type of knowledge could be called evidence based practice. Empirical knowing is used daily in this nurses practice with the administration of medications that have been studied and tested for there efficacy on identified diseases. As an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) this type of knowing will be used to make evidence based choices about diagnoses, medications prescribed, and care plans initiated. The personal knowledge pattern of knowing is based on an interpersonal process which involves â€Å"interactions, relationships, and transactions between the nurse and the patient-client† (Carper, 1978). By sharing personal experiences at appropriate times and being open and willing to listen to patients, this nurse practices this pattern of knowing. A major focus of this author’s APN practice will be to get to know each individual client on a personal level. This will show the client that they are important as a person and not just a number. Esthetics knowing or the art of nursing is the ability of a nurse to grasp meaning from each patient encounter (Johnson, 1994). The nurse practicing esthetics must be genuine, empathetic, and strive for a connection with their patients (Johnson, 1994). This author toils with practicing esthetics in his current position as an emergency room (ER) nurse. When patients come to the ER on a frequent basis it is very hard to show empathy and try to connect with them. As a practicing APN this nurse will try to deliver nursing care based on the clients individual needs and perceptions by understanding the uniqueness of every patient. Ethical knowing or the moral direction of nursing is focused on the nurses’ responsibility of knowing what out to be done and what is good and right (Carper, 1978). Ethical knowing â€Å"guides and directs how nurses morally behave in their practices† (Chinn Maeona, 2011, p. 7). This nurse practices ethics by being a patient advocate and preserving his clients right to choose or refuse care. This patient advocacy will continue as this nurse advances to the role of APN. This author ascribes to the empiricism paradigm. This paradigm is similar to empirical knowing in that it is based on the premise that what is known can be verified through the senses, or validated through research (Monti Tingen, 1999). This author believes that the basis of a good practice is through the use of evidence based findings. If the procedure or care plan is supported by research, and the findings are reproducible, then this author is more likely to implement it into his practice. As this author continues his journey toward becoming an APN the patterns of knowing are very important to understand. By implementing these patterns to practice, and using evidence based findings to guide decision making, the author will be better able to care for his patients.