There are different ways of knowing in nursing, which help us to understand and care for our patients. These include scientific knowledge, personal knowledge, and ethical knowledge.
Scientific knowledge is what we know about the human body and how it works. This helps us to diagnose and treat diseases. Personal knowledge is what we know about ourselves and our own experiences. This helps us to understand our patients better and to provide them with the best possible care. Ethical knowledge is what we know about right and wrong. This helps us to make sure that we are providing care in a way that is morally correct.
All of these types of knowledge are important in nursing. By understanding all of them, we can provide the best possible care for our patients.
The reason, rather than experience, is said to be the sole basis of knowledge according to rationalism. For many years, this idea has influenced nursing practice by attempting to formalise complex concepts in order to legitimize and explicitize understanding. However, human meanings and issues are difficult to express in a formal manner. As a result, nursing theorists sought for other acceptable modes of knowing.
Popper proposed that there are three worlds: the physical world, the mental world and the third world. The third world consists of objective knowledge, which exists independent of any observer. This is the world of scientific propositions and theories. The second world is the mental world of subjective experience, which cannot be observed or measured. It includes thoughts, feelings and intentions. The first world is the physical world of objects and events that can be observed and measured.
The physicalist approach to nursing focuses on the first world, emphasising observable phenomena. This approach views patients as machines that can be repaired with the right parts and procedures. The main concern is with treatment and cure, rather than with understanding or caring for the patient as a person.
In this part (Carper, 2006) is concerned with the ways of knowing. What exactly does it imply to know? The author examines what kinds of knowledge is cherished and who values it. There are four fundamental elements: the empirics of nursing, which looks at delivering explanation for a condition and systematically addressing those issues. Esthetics of nursing refers to the fine art of nursing.
Personal knowledge is about the self and relationships with others, and lastly, the ethical is nursing’s moral compass. The author describes each of these in detail, looking at their importance in the field of nursing.
It is essential for nurses to understand these patterns of knowing, as they provide a foundation for the work that they do. Without this understanding, it would be difficult to provide high-quality care to patients. This knowledge helps nurses to make decisions about what is best for their patients and how to best care for them.
There seems to be a lot of conflict among the terms in terms of “the art” of nursing. Weitz believes that it is complex and open to one’s definition of aesthetic theory. Esthetic knowledge is characterized by expressionism. It concerns the creativity and openness of discovery as new knowledge is developed. The visible component, according to Weidenbach, which verifies the action taken by the nurse, is what validates the action taken by the nurse.
The knowledge that is created and used to validate the actions of nursing practice is definitive, propositional and linear in nature. Esthetic knowing requires a deep understanding of both the patient and the nurse, along with a commonality of experiences to develop trust, mutuality, and respect.
Empathy is an essential component of the aesthetic experience. The art of nursing, in Orem’s view, is a nurse’s capacity to use creative and expressive actions that result in satisfying and effective patient results. Personal experience has been found to be the most difficult and frequently problematic to overcome.
In this process, the nurse uses both intuition and reasoning to access information about a patient’s condition. The application of scientific knowledge is also important in order to promote best practices for patient care.
In order to provide high-quality care, nurses must be able to integrate all forms of knowing. This includes empirical, personal, ethical, and esthetic ways of knowing. Each one of these offers a unique perspective that can contribute to better understanding a patient’s needs. By using a variety of patterns of knowing, nurses can make sound decisions that will ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes.
It’s difficult to master because it involves the patient-nurse connection and interactions. It’s influenced by a person’s perspective of self. Experienced nurses are said to have a heightened sensitivity to subjective views, allowing them to grasp others’ feelings. Personal experience generates subjectivity, while concrete knowledge added to the relationship requires people’s personal rights to be respected.
There are four different types of knowing in nursing: empirical, personal, ethical, and esthetic. Empirical knowing is objective and deals with observable phenomenon. This type of knowing can be proven or disproved through scientific methods. Personal knowing is subjective and comes from an individual’s internal experiences, values, and beliefs. Ethical knowing deals with morally right or wrong actions. Esthetic knowing includes creative abilities and ways of perceiving the world that cannot be measured empirically.
Nurses use all four types of knowing to provide care to patients. Empirical knowledge is used to assess a patient’s condition and plan care accordingly. Personal knowledge is used to develop a relationship with the patient and understand their unique needs. Ethical knowledge is used to ensure that the care provided is morally right. Esthetic knowledge is used to create a healing environment for the patient.
The four types of knowing are not mutually exclusive and are often used in tandem to provide comprehensive care to patients. Empirical and personal knowledge are often used together to assess a patient’s condition and plan care. Ethical and esthetic knowing are often used together to create a healing environment that meets the patient’s needs.