Patricia E. Zander addressed how there are ways of knowing for nurses (2000). Zander goes on to discuss the ways of knowing by addressing Barbara Carper’s aspects of knowledge that include empirics, ethics, esthetics, and personal care (2000). Carper identifies each attribute individually when examining each attribute (1978). Empirics are the science of nursing; ethics is the moral knowledge of nursing; esthetics is the art of nursing; and lastly personal care is the personal knowledge of nursing (Carper, 1978).
My personal way of nursing is based on ethics. While the other aspects noted are very important, I always find myself questioning if it is right or wrong. I also find myself questioning if this were my family member, would this be…show more content… Honesty is important because building a trusting relationship with a patient is key to patient care. I have seen others in practice that make promises they cannot keep and it is not honest practice. It lets the patient down. Plus, it is important to be honest and encourage a patient to be honest so that you can help them. Having a mutual respect goes a long ways with patient care. Showing respect for one’s decisions further builds the patient nurse relationship. Lastly, integrity is important to me as a nurse in practice because I relate most to the ethics principle, having a moral sense of nursing by Carper (1978). These values are important to me because they allow me to practice and be a part of a healing process while maintaining the autonomy of my patients.
Carper stated, “The ethical pattern of knowing in nursing requires an understanding of different philosophical positions regarding what is good, what ought to be desired, what is right...” (Carper, 1978, p.21). I find that a high moral sense of right and wrong always help guide me in practice as I provide care for the sick, sometimes even dying patients that I care for. I find that ethical principles can often be difficult, but have always led me in the right
