Carper’s Patterns of Knowing

Preparing the Assignment
Nursing knowledge is classified in a variety of ways, one of which is Carper’s Patterns of Knowing (Carper, 1978). Carper’s framework offers a lens through which the nurse can reflect upon insights acquired through empirical, ethical, personal, and aesthetic knowledge (Carper, 1978). Through intentional reflection using Carper’s Patterns of Knowing, nurses can process experiential learning and knowledge acquired through practice. The purpose of this assignment is to reflect upon a specific practice situation and better understand the professional knowledge and insights obtained through that experience.

Criteria for Content
1. Think of a surprising or challenging practice situation in which you felt underprepared, unprepared, or uncomfortable. (The feeling is underprepared)
2. Select an important nursing issue/topic that was inherent to the identified situation. (General Inpatient Hospice Patients)
3. Briefly explain the situation.
( Pt was admitted to the hospital and code status was DNR CC. Pt was made hospice but was to fragile to move in a hospice facility or to the family’s home. Pt was to stay at the hospital until they passed. The medication dosages for morphine and Ativan were constantly being changed by the Hospitalist Doctor and the Hospice Doctor.)

4. Identify the nursing issue inherent in the identified situation
As a method of refection, use Carper’s Patterns of Knowing to analyze the situation. In your discussion, address ONE of the following Patterns of Knowing

What were your thoughts and feeling in the situation? (Personal)
I was scared that I would be administering a lethal dose of medication to a dying patient.

What new insights did you gain through this reflective practice opportunity?

How will this apply to your practice as a nurse practitioner?

Be sure to use scholarly literature to support your position.
*Scholarly sources dated within the dates 2014 – present for in-text citations