WAYS OF KNOWING IN NURSING

based on Barbara Carper (1978), Christopher Johns (2000)

Shows the complexity and diversity of nursing knowledge.

EMPIRICAL KNOWING AESTHETIC KNOWING

Scientific, evidenced based – the framework for the The “art” of nursing. = what is good nursing?
exploration of quantitative methods. Traditional, logical,
rationale, positivist. Measures, predicts, generalizes. Theory Provides the framework for the exploration of qualitative
development. methods – alls for recognition of patterns in phenomena eg
the individual ways that a nurse would care for two clients
awaiting surgey.
ETHICAL KNOWING PERSONAL KNOWING

Morals, knowing right from wrong, nursing ethics, research
ethics. Informed consent in research, confidentiality,
privacy, respect for human rights.
REFLECTIVE KNOWING
Knowing oneself, nurses' awareness of self, knowing the
self of others. Experiential, intuitive. Based in fundamentals
of existentialism – the capacity for change and the value
placed on becoming. Being genuine and authentic in
research studies, awareness of one's beliefs and how they
influence qualitative inquiry. Nature of human interactions
is based on subjective knowledge.
SOCIO-POLITICAL KNOWING

The practice of unknowing, reflecting on experience by Issues of power, whose voice is heard, whose voice is
suspending judgement and exploring situations from a silent, helps nurses understand when and how they might
deeper level = Praxis. Reflect on practice to reveal habitual act in the context of nursing. Need Reflection in Action.
actions, examine strengths and weaknesses, open up the
possibilities of learning by developing the art of unknowing.