Reflect upon a patient care encounter from personal practice in which multiple "ways of knowing" were used. Illustrate how each fundamental pattern for nursing knowledge contributed to the care of this patient

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Generally, all professionals define themselves by the knowledge they already possess and that which they hope to gain in future. Barbra Carper researched and presented four fundamental patterns of nursing knowledge. These patterns are the basis of the pattern’s concept and syntactic structure. They include; person knowing, Empirical patterns, ethical patterns, and aesthetic knowing patterns (Jackson et al., 2009). As a nursing student, these ways of knowing enhances the learning experience which will then promote better patient care.  In my personal practice, I got the chance of caring for a cancer patient who later developed hospital acquired infections that greatly impacted his outcome. Multiple ways of knowing were used to care for this patient, and over time, his health improved significantly. When this patient was first admitted, he had experienced a recurrence of a tumour after being in remission for a year. During recurrence, the symptoms were quite severe as the patient would experience headaches, pass out and even have nose bleeds.  A week after admission, I realised the symptoms of the patient were becoming worse. Through personal knowing, I was able to make the assumption that the patient may have acquired a hospital related infection. This is because he was having too much phlegm, breathing heavily and becoming even weaker. At this point, I could tell from my past experiences with patients that he could have caught pneumonia especially since his immunity was already compromised from the cancer recurrence (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Hence, personal knowing enabled a quick and swift identification of the symptoms which this patient was experiencing (Jackson et al., 2009). Thus, tests were done and a diagnosis was made on time.  Empirical knowing is the knowledge gained from research and objective facts (Jackson et al., 2009).Through research done by previous scholars and some which I have done personally, I was able to understand that hospital acquired infections are quite common. I was able to employ this type of knowing through an evidence-based practice whereby I referred to the interventions used in patients who had cancer and suffered a hospital acquired illness.  The various interventions used to treat pneumonia for cancer patients were considered, but only the one with the best outcomes was considered. I was able to know that such a patient is highly prone to other infections as well. Hence, while administering treatment; more caution was taken to ensure a sterile and safe environment for the patient.  Finally, I was able to use aesthetic knowing in this patient’s care by considering all the other ways of knowing and developing better understanding of the occurrence (Jackson et al., 2009). Through the personal and empirical knowing, I realised that such infections are quite severe (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Hence, even though they are treatable, it is always better to consider other approaches of prevention.  Thus, from the time of admission, a lot of care must be taken when handling patients. Medical equipment must be sterilized thoroughly, and disposable gloves should only be used once. Many other steps can be taken to ensure a clean environment for patients. This will prevent the spread of infection causing bacteria and viruses that are highly present in such an environment.  In conclusion, the ways of knowing that were involved in this patient’s care enabled me, as a nurse professional, to better understand myself and the nursing discipline. I have become more appreciative of the fact that nursing is more than just a profession, but also an art and science which depends on other concepts. My professional practice has improved significantly as a result of these nursing ways of knowing.  Differentiate among the concepts of nursing philosophy, nursing science, and philosophy of science  The nursing philosophy refers to an individual’s perspectives and attitudes which are part of his or her held beliefs regarding the nursing profession. It is a reflection of the purpose of their nursing practice since they will have goals of creating a specific type of impact on the population (Meehan, Timmins & Burke, 2018). Therefore, it involves a person’s perception of the nursing profession and the reason why they want to take part in that field as professionals (McEwen & Wills, 2014).  For example, some individuals view it as an opportunity to help others to achieve better health outcomes, to save lives through evidence, and to employ physiological and psychological interventions where needed. Therefore, it features nurse educators, emergency room nurse professionals, the mental health nurses, neonatal care nurses, and many others in various units that deal with the care of patients.  There are those who believe that nursing is a career which features a spiritual meaning beyond medicine, physiology and psychology (Meehan, Timmins & Burke, 2018). Such an individual is likely to become a holistic care nurse or an alternative medicine nurse whereby the personal beliefs of the patient are also considered alongside the emotions and religion when deciding on the type of care to offer. Many others perceive nursing as a form of connection between other family members whereby former generations took part in the same career.  Therefore, in such a case, working as a nurse may be a form of respect to previous generations within the family of nurses, whereby one works to represent the educational and academic lifestyle of the family. This is mostly the case for families which focus a lot on prestige and accomplishments. The parents expect their children to follow in their footsteps by taking up the career that they also chose because of the family members before them.  Thus, it is evident that nursing philosophy involves an individual’s beliefs, attitudes, actions, hopes, desires, and dreams (Meehan, Timmins& Burke, 2018). These tend to drive the ethical behaviour of this individual or group within which the nursing philosophy exists. Hence, philosophy is quite essential in nursing practice and for the patient population’s well-being. In the absence of this philosophy, the nurse’s purpose may not be as clear.  It may lead to a significantly poor commitment to the profession, a low drive and negative attitudes towards the profession. Although there can be no particular nursing philosophy as a result of the varying perspectives, it is still imperative that a nurse establishes a good foundation for his or her philosophy, beliefs and purpose.  Nursing science, on the other hand, features a branch of science which works with the nursing principles and applications. Through the bachelor’s degree, an individual is prepared to take on various roles such as leadership, researching, and patient care among many others (Meehan, Timmins & Burke, 2018). Generally, the path work features nursing science, leadership, research other related sciences, humanities, mathematics, and even social sciences.  Nursing science features a systematic knowledge that must be organized and accurate. Here, it is always better to possess more knowledge than is required. It should also e confidential especially when the information is patient related. This Nursing science may either be used directly or indirectly when being used in nursing practice. Lastly, the philosophy of science involves the study of elements of scientific inquiry (Han, 2014). It analyses the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical issues that are related to the modern practice and goals of science today.  Is nursing a profession or an occupation? What can advanced practice nurses do to enhance nursing's standing as a profession?  A profession refers to something that an individual is, while an occupation is something that one does. Hence, nursing is a profession since it features various occupations which are a result of the skill, self-sufficiency, duty, and obligation that has been made (Jubas & Knutson, 2012). Nursing is a profession which has become joined as a practice of thought. It represents a free helpful profession which offers certain benefits that further improve the strength of others. (Jubas & Knutson, 2012) The most crucial parts are nursing care, curing, and co-appointment.  Through the minding perspective, the nurse as a medical caretaker is required to understand what is necessary to enable a patient centred form of treatment. Therefore, through the need for being multi-skilled, it becomes apparent that nursing is more of a profession than an occupation. It incorporates actions taken to advance the wellbeing of individuals, disease aversion, and the consideration of the critically ill individuals (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Nurses are required to become involved in moral, legitimate, and even political issues which are related to medicinal services. Therefore, as advocates for the required medications, it is evident that nurses are required to venture into sectors which are indirectly affecting the healthcare industry.  Nursing is also considered to be a form of science since there are inventive methods which may positively impacting patient outcomes. Therefore, these factors need to be explored by nurses to ensure that any possible opportunities for better patient outcomes are not left untouched (Jubas & Knutson, 2012). By venturing into science, the nurses are able to enhance their professionalism.  The nursing profession is also linked to other attendants who are in the immediate environment of patients. To ensure the best patient care, nurses are required to understand these other professions, such as the cleaners. They are supposed to offer guidance on the best steps to take when caring and interacting with the patients. Thus, this further complicates the nursing obligations, which is why it is not considered a simple occupation, but rather a profession.  To enhance the nurse standing as a profession, it is important that individuals with a zeal for what the practice entails are recruited. The enrolled students need to be educated on the importance of nursing to the public, and the complex nature it features. This will prepare them for what will be expected once they graduate and have to work in the actual healthcare environment. During training, the nurses need to be encouraged to embrace the obligation of nonstop care that should be given to individuals who are weak and withered.  Hence, those who are in palliative care should be given the necessary attention up until their last day of life. By educating them on the need of being present in the lives of these patients, the nurses will become more aware of why they are perceived to be more than caregivers to the patients. Also, the nursing code of ethics must be constantly updated to feature some of the issues which arise in the changing environment.

[ANSWERED 2024] Reflect upon a patient care encounter from personal practice in which multiple “ways of knowing” were used

Reflect upon a patient care encounter from personal practice in which multiple “ways of knowing” were used

Expert Answer and Explanation

Reflect upon a patient care encounter from personal practice in which multiple “ways of knowing” were used. Illustrate how each fundamental pattern for nursing knowledge contributed to the care of this patient

Differentiate among the concepts of nursing philosophy, nursing science, and philosophy of science

Is nursing a profession or an occupation? What can advanced practice nurses do to enhance nursing’s standing as a profession?

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