Carper's Ways Of Knowing In Nursing Analysis

Carper’s (1978) pivotal work of identifying nursing’s ways of knowing was a seminal work that laid the foundation for further analysis. Her ways of knowing have identified methods that have allowed the nursing discipline to further its own knowledge as well as the profession. Two other ways of knowing have emerged, Munall’s (1993) “unknowing” pattern; and also sociopolitical knowing by Zander (2011, p. 9) or emancipatory pattern (Chinn & Kramer, 2011, p. 5). Here these patterns are discussed through experiences in my personal practice.

The first way of knowing identified by Carper (1978) is empirics. This is the most familiar to nurses and nursing students alike. This type of knowledge is gained through proving something correct or incorrect.

Personal knowing focuses on experiencing and knowing self and others. Carper (1978) indicated that personal knowing is the most difficult to master and teach. As personal knowing is identifying and knowing oneself through interaction and relationships, this would be very difficult to teach in a classroom. Zander (2011) further supported this thought, specifically that “personal knowing could only be achieved through complex interpersonal relationships.” (PAGE). The qualities of authenticity, genuineness, and wholeness are also associated with personal knowing (Chinn & Kramer, 2011). These qualities help to identify what is true about oneself and how to display that truth with others, mostly through relationships and interactions. This is very important in nursing, as who we are affects patient

For example, if a nurse instructs me how to insert an intravenous line, but this differs from what was taught in school, does this mean her method is wrong and/or harming the patient (ethical knowing)? Are there new guidelines from the manufacturer (empiric and unknowing)? Did she still adhere to the basic aseptic technique taught in nursing school (empiric knowing)? Is this a problem that other nurses have when being precepted by different nurses- the varying techniques that created my confusion, and who and how is it decided what is the correct method (personal and sociopolitical knowing)? This form of knowing allows me to have a truly open mind about the situation and how it affects my patient, essentially rejecting and sometimes even questioning what I think I already know. Some knowledge is easier to clarify and place into practice, such as empiric knowledge, while other knowledge is much harder to attain, especially when it comes to ethical or sociopolitical