The nursing profession has made remarkable progress in delivering medical solutions. Years of research and theory development have played a vital role in driving this progress (Hardin, 2014). The profession has developed various approaches for developing the theories that govern practice. Thanks to these approaches, it has become easier for members of the profession to contribute to advancing practice. Empiric, personal, ethical, aesthetic and emancipatory are the main approaches that shape knowledge development in nursing (Chinn & Kramer, 2015).
The five main patterns of knowing in nursing have been identified above. Empirics form the essence of nursing science. Essentially, empirics allow for knowing through the senses (Clements & Averill, 2006). It is indeed possible for professionals to gather knowledge and develop theories through sensory experiences. Empirical knowing relies on scientific principles and techniques for knowledge development. Personal knowing is another vital pattern of knowing. Basically, this pattern empowers professionals to gain knowledge through personal experiences and endeavor to understand the self (Clements & Averill, 2006). For instance, through interactions with a migrant patient, a nurse may understand the unique challenges that migrant communities encounter. It is important to remember that personal knowing is rather difficult to incorporate into practice since personal experiences vary among nursing practitioners (Carper, 1978).
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Aesthetic is yet another important avenue for gaining knowledge. This pattern is commonly regarded as the art of nursing (Clements & Averill, 2006). The aesthetic pattern places focus on the interactions among practitioners and patients. Through this approach, nurses are able to derive insights from the unique moments that they share with their patients. Innovation and deep connections between the nurse and the patient are other crucial components of the aesthetic pattern (Clements & Averill, 2006). Another pattern of knowing in nursing is ethical. This pattern concerns moral responsibility. This pattern enables practitioners to establish if their interactions with patients are in line with moral standards. Moreover, this pattern reminds nurses to shield their patients from harm and endeavor to safeguard their wellbeing. Emancipatory is the fifth pattern of knowing. This pattern equips nurses with the insights that they need to navigate and extricate themselves from social and legal complexities. For example, through emancipatory knowing, nurses may push for legal reform in an effort to enhance access to health care for minority communities. It should be noted that the five patterns of knowing are not all-inclusive.
I have employed the various patterns of knowing discussed above in my professional life. Regarding empirical knowing, I have gathered that poor patient-physician relationships hinder healthcare delivery. I arrived at this conclusion after observing a patient’s condition worsen as a result of physician negligence. I have also served as my own source of knowledge. Through meditation and intimate engagements with patients, I have recognized that for effective healthcare delivery, practitioners must build warm and genuine relationships with their patients. The aesthetic and the ethical patterns of knowing have also shaped my life. After exploring the vital role that the nursing profession plays in preserving human life and dignity, I have been able to recognize the need for the demonstration of such values as kindness and empathy. I have also understood the importance of insulating patients against harm and ensuring that their wellbeing is not compromised. I attribute this to the ethical pattern of knowing. I have also used the emancipatory pattern in practice. As already pointed out, this pattern empowers nurse practitioners to free themselves from legal and social entanglements. Recently, I helped treat an undocumented immigrant who desperately needed care. I understood that this patient was in the country illegally. However, I also understood that nursing practitioners should endeavor to deliver care to all.
As my personal experiences reveal, the various patterns of knowing are crucial to nursing knowledge and practice. One of the roles that the patterns of knowing plays is that it allows nursing practice to be based on sound principles and theories (Hardin, 2014). For example, the scientific pattern allows practitioners to develop medical solutions that are derived from sound scientific methods. The other role of the patterns of knowing is that it enables practitioners to participate in advancing nursing practice. For instance, the personal and aesthetic patterns of knowing enable nurses to employ insights from personal experiences in their practice. The patterns of knowing are also vital as they empower nurses to take pride in the profession and contribute to its development. For years, nurses have relied on insights from other professions (Fawcett, 2006). Through the various patterns of knowing, nurses are able to develop approaches and insights that address the unique issues that the profession faces. Overall, the patterns of knowing enhance personal development and fuels progress of the nursing profession.
In conclusion, the five main patterns of knowing are responsible to a large extent for the remarkable gains that the nursing profession has made. These patterns allow the profession to benefit from different sources of insight. The patterns also allow individual nurses to take part in growing the profession. Instead of turning to other professions for insight, nurse practitioners are now able to develop unique solutions and knowledge. It is important for nurses to continue to work together to develop nursing knowledge and practice.
References
Chinn, P.L. & Kramer, M.K. (2015). Integrated theory and knowledge development in nursing (9 th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Chapters 3-7.
Clements, P.T. & Averill, J.B. (2006).Finding patterns of knowing in the work of Florence Nightingale. Nursing Outlook 54 ,268-274. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2006.06.003
Fawcett, J. (2006). Commentary: Finding patterns of knowing in the work of Florence Nightingale. Nursing Outlook,54 , 275-277. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2006.06.005
Hardin, S. R. (2014). Theory Development Process. In Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing theorists and their work . (8th ed.) St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
