Nursing Science: Jean Watson's influence on nursing practice The five patterns of knowledge and how they can be applied in nursing practice

Professionals will define themselves according to their sphere of knowledge they seek and possess. There are four fundamental designs used by nurses for knowledge. These designs make up the syntactical and the conceptual nursing knowledge structure. The designs include aesthetic knowing, ethical knowing, empirical knowing, and personal knowing. Discussed below are ways through which the different designs of knowing can help nurses in their application of nursing practice.

Personal knowing: This can be considered as personal knowledge or the knowing of self. It also entails the experiences or the nurse and what they have seen. This knowledge is acquired through reflection, self-actualization and observation. Through knowledge of self, nurses are capable of establishing therapeutic and authentic relationships which propel them towards integrity and wholeness (Chinn & Kramer, 2015).

Empirical Knowledge: This knowledge is acquired through objective facts and through research. Such knowledge is organized systematically into theories and laws. This knowledge may be applied through evidence based practices (EBP). Empirical knowledge is commonly references as nursing science (Chinn & Kramer, 2015).

Ethical knowledge: This is the pattern of knowing that helps nurses develop their personal moral code. It entails the wisdom of understanding the things that are wrong and those that are right. Personal ethic in nursing is founded on the need to respect and preserve human life. Personal actions in nursing and other professions are well are dictated through ethical knowing. The nurse’ ethics code can be applied as a guiding tool as nurses refine and develop their personal moral code (American Nurses Association, 2015).

Aesthetic knowing: This is the art part of knowing in nursing (Carper, 1978). This knowing employs all the other designs of knowing and cultivates the phenomena understanding. It may be described as the Eureka moments that nurses get upon uncovering or discovering something unique. Nurses can embrace new perspectives through aesthetic knowing.

Intuitive Knowing: This is not any different from aesthetic knowing. This knowing leverages on other patterns of knowing. Where a nurse is required to make split second decisions or attend to a patient in urgent need institution comes in handy. The nurse has to be spiritually connected with the patient to have...

This caring science has mutual benefit to the nurse and the patient. The responsibility of the nurse is to ensure that the patient is their best position that enables self-healing. Nurses are at the center of patient healing. Nurses actively engage in caring through their intentionality and authentic presence. This way they are able to maximize the ability of the patient to heal.
The theory of human caring by Watson (2008) embraces certain principle and practices which are: The practice of equanimity and loving kindness, authentic presence which makes it possible for others to inculcate deep belief, development of personal spiritual practice in the direction of wholeness of the spirit, mind and body beyond personal ego, providing the environment of care and healing, and being open to the inexplicable and unexpected events of life or miracles. The main concepts in the theory of human caring include:

Relational caring for others and self: This caring is founded on the philosophical, ethical and moral foundation of values and love (Watson, 2008).

Transpersonal caring: This entails moving beyond personal ego into the spiritual sphere of caring cultivated by the caring movements. It entails the emotional determination to enhance and protect human dignity, love and respect for patient by respecting their wishes, rituals, needs, and wishes, self-caring consciousness for others as pertinent human beings, maintain inner balance and internal harmony, intentionally being with others and doing for them whatever they need both in the what and in the how (that is the skill and the intentional caring conscious), and the authentic presence that entails connecting and honoring humans (Watson, 2008).

Caring moment: This is a hearty encounter among people with personal phenomenal background in their personal transactions that have intentional, authentic, meaningful, and honoring. It also entails sharing of experiences with the goal of enhancing one another’s spirit and worldview resulting into discovery of other life possibilities and self (Watson, 2008).

Various avenues of knowing: This is achieved through art, science, spiritual, cultural, personal, intuitive, ethical and aesthetic knowing (Watson, 2008).

Meditative approach: This approach enhances presence and consciousness to other…