nr501 week 2 Reflective Essay
at the end of Week 2. The guidelines are below and the guidelines and grading rubric for this assignment are also located in Course Resources.
Purpose
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.nr501 week 2 Reflective Essay
Course Outcomes
Through this assessment, the student will meet the following Course Outcomes:
- Demonstrate logical and creative thinking in the analysis and application of theory to nursing practice. (CO #1)
- Examine broad theoretical concepts as foundational to advanced nursing practice roles. (CO #3)
Total Points Possible
This assignment is worth 100 points.
Due Date
Submit your file by 11:59 p.m. MT Sunday at the end of Week 2.
Requirements
Criteria for Content
- Think of a surprising or challenging practice situation in which you felt underprepared, unprepared, or uncomfortable.
- Select an important nursing issue/topic that was inherent to the identified situation.
- As a method of refection, use Carper’s Patterns of Knowing to analyze the situation. In a two- to three-page paper address the following:
- Brieflyexplain the situation
- Identify the nursing issue inherent in the identified situation
- What do you think was the underlying reason for the situation? (Esthetics)
- What were your thoughts and feeling in the situation? (Personal)
- What was one personal belief that impacted your actions? (Ethics)
- What evidence in nursing literature supports the nursing importance of the identified issue? (Empirical)
- What new insights did you gain through this reflective practice opportunity?
nr501 week 2 Reflective Essay Answer
Carper’s Ways of Knowing in Nursing Practice: A Clinical Case Analysis
Carper’s ways of knowing encompass four essential patterns: empirical, esthetic, personal, and ethical knowledge. According to Jasper (2003), these patterns collectively form the foundation of knowledge crucial for nursing practice. This case presentation aims to illustrate how each of these ways of knowing was applied in a real-world clinical situation.nr501 week 2 Reflective Essay
Description of the Situation:
On November 10, 2017, I received an urgent call to fill in for a nurse who couldn’t report to work due to an emergency in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Upon arriving, I discovered that I would be responsible for two infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), one of whom was in a critical condition. Both male and female infants had recently been transferred to the NICU for the management of NAS, 48 hours post-birth. The nursing staff was insufficient, necessitating my assistance to ensure effective care in the NICU, especially given the emergency situation. The available nurse was from a specialized burn unit and could not manage both the infants in the burn unit and those in the NICU.nr501 week 2 Reflective Essay
Application of Carper’s Ways of Knowing:
- Empirical Knowledge: Empirical knowledge involves the use of evidence-based information and scientific principles in nursing practice. In this situation, empirical knowledge played a crucial role in understanding the clinical condition of infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. I relied on evidence-based protocols to assess, plan, and implement care for the infants, considering the physiological aspects of NAS and the required interventions (Jasper, 2003).
- Esthetic Knowledge: Esthetic knowledge, as described by Carper, pertains to the artistry and creativity in nursing care. In this scenario, esthetic knowledge guided my approach to providing comfort and emotional support to the distressed infants. I drew on my creativity to devise soothing techniques and ensure a nurturing environment conducive to their well-being.nr501 week 2 Reflective Essay
- Personal Knowledge: Personal knowledge involves the nurse’s self-awareness and understanding of their own beliefs, values, and biases. In this case, personal knowledge came into play as I recognized my emotions and stress levels, ensuring that I maintained a composed and focused demeanor to provide effective care. It also influenced my ability to empathize with the infants and their families (Jasper, 2003).nr501 week 2 Reflective Essay
- Ethical Knowledge: Ethical knowledge involves navigating moral dilemmas and making ethically sound decisions. Faced with a shortage of staff, ethical knowledge guided me in prioritizing care, ensuring that the infants with the most critical conditions received immediate attention. It also involved collaborating with the available nurse to allocate resources efficiently.
Nursing Issue: The nursing issue inherent in this situation is the shortage of staff, leading to a challenging workload that compromises the quality of care provided to infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. The imbalance in nurse-patient ratios poses a potential risk to patient safety and well-being.nr501 week 2 Reflective Essay
In conclusion, the clinical case demonstrates the integration of Carper’s ways of knowing in navigating a challenging nursing scenario. By applying empirical, esthetic, personal, and ethical knowledge, I was able to address the complex needs of infants with NAS and ensure that care was delivered with competence, compassion, and ethical considerations. This experience underscores the importance of a holistic approach to nursing, drawing on diverse ways of knowing to provide patient-centered and ethical care in challenging situations.
