ANALYSIS OF A CONCEPT

What is knowledge??

How a discipline learns defines it’s…..

Epistemology = Theory (Study )of Knowledge

NURSING KNOWLEDGE – Explicit (Scientific) or Research --Tacit (Experience) or Synthesis of Information

Considered to be epistemology of nursing.. Written in 1975, and has been foundational

to nursing knowledge since then Other ways of knowing have been

proposed, Ways of knowing are:

EmpiricsEthicsEsthetics Personal

- objective , abstract, quantifiable - can be verified with testing - arranged into theories - case knowledge (biomedical model) - concerned with “monitoring of disease

and therapeutic responses” - quantitative research uncovers this type

of knowing

- moral knowledge, based on values of profession

- choosing, justifying and judging actions based on duty, rights and obligations

- CNA ethical framework guides development of this type of knowing – e.g.: research on human subjects, care of those who are different…

- universal values to profession, as well as personal values of the nurse

- Art of nursing, intangible essence of what nursing is

- attends to uniqueness of “contextual wholeness” rather than particular moment.

- is anticipation of outcome rather than just evaluation of select intervention

- expressive, intuitive and creative aspect of nursing, and difficult to verbalize (Expert nurse actions done before actual event “How did they know that???)

- awareness of self in relationship - does not require mediation through

language - engagement , active, empathetic

participation of nurse as “knower” - means being authentic – incorporating

that theory of interpersonal relationships until it is second nature

- the “a-ha” experience

Hasn’t fully developed the aesthetic way of knowing

Does not make a distinction between concepts of knowing and knowledge

Theory vs pattern of knowledge in nursing

Experience (Experiential) Benner Novice to Expert Knowing how or ‘knowledge-as-ability” vs knowing

that (Carper’s view, according to Benner). Skill based

Intuition Non-rational thought processes of feeling or

sensing Not logically explained results with vast amounts

of experience Unknowing

Position of openness to understand the world view of the patient (client-centered). Leads to empathy and pt’s perspective

Sociopolitical Seeks to understand the ‘wherein ‘ of nursing as

a practice profession. Understanding of what nursing is by public, and

what society and its politics are by nurses.