The article argues that there are four fundamental patterns of knowing that have been identified from an analysis of the conceptual and syntactical structure of nursing knowledge. These four fundamental patterns are (1) empirics – the science of nursing, (2) esthetics – the art of nursing, (3) the component of a personal knowledge in nursing, and (4) ethics, the component of moral knowledge in nursing. These are the kinds of knowledge that are held to be of most value in the discipline of nursing.


            The key ideas that the author Barbara Carper is trying to communicate in this article are (1) nurses have to aware of the four fundamental patterns of knowing, and (2) these four fundamental patterns are of utmost importance if one is to become a nurse.


The four fundamentals of knowing as applied to the nursing discipline can be summarized in the succeeding sentences. Nursing as a science means that it is a body of knowledge systematically organized, and like all bodies of knowledge is dynamic and subject to change. New perspectives in health and illness appear. Nursing as an art pertains to the aspects of knowing in nursing that are not discovered by scientific investigation. Nursing is thus considered as both a science and an art.


The third fundamental pattern, personal knowledge, is considered to be the most problematic, the most difficult to master and to teach. Yet it is also the most essential to understanding the meaning of health in terms of individual well-being. Why is this? The self is considered to be a major factor in the success of any therapeutic relationship. Knowing and actualizing one’s self can help a lot in the nursing discipline.


The moral component of the nursing discipline is ethics. Everything in life involves ethics. Knowing what is morally right and what is morally wrong can help people make the right choices.


The author considers them important because these patterns of knowing provide the nursing discipline its particular perspectives and significance. According to the author, understanding these four fundamental patterns of knowing makes possible an increased awareness of the complexity and diversity of nursing knowledge.


            It is useful to identify these four patterns of knowing because the nursing discipline cannot be learned without reference to the structure of the discipline. Furthermore, each of these four fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing represents a necessary but not complete approach to the problems and questions in the nursing discipline. Lastly, all knowledge is subject to change and revision.


As a student nurse, knowing and understanding these ideas are very important and it is my responsibility to know these. These four patterns of knowing relate to my discipline. It is also important to remember that although these patterns are independent, they also interact. Without one, the nursing discipline cannot be considered complete. Without being equipped with these, one cannot completely be a nurse.


 



Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com


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