Nursing Theory and Ways of Knowing

Running head: NURSING THEORY
NURSING THEORY
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

1NURSING THEORY
Question 1
Please discuss what the phrase ‘ways of knowing’ means in relation to nursing epistemology.
Nursing epistemology is the discipline which involves the study of knowledge shared
among the peer nurses, patterns of knowledge and the knowledge that develops from the
patterns. There are three types of knowing according to the nurse epistemology; the clinical
knowledge, empirical knowledge and conceptual knowledge (Chinn & Kramer, 2015).
Q2. Why have the ways/patterns of knowing been developed and what purpose do they serve in
knowledge development for nursing?
The profession of nursing is influenced by the biomedical model of nursing. The different
pattern of knowing actually contributes to the future articulation and the development of the
nursing practice. The empirical knowledge infuses scientific knowledge among the nurses. The
aesthetic knowledge helps to develop expressiveness and sensitivity (Carper, 1978). Self
knowledge, reflective attitudes and experience helps in interpersonal development and infuses
the capability of critical thinking. The ethical knowledge develops moral and ethics in the nurses
(Lachman, 2012).
1. Response to student A:
I really appreciate the thought of adhering to the ethical principles of nursing. I would
like to elaborate the four components of Carper's fundamental of knowing (Carper, 1978).
According to her, the fundamental knowing actually refers to the knowledge that we posses for