Patterns of Knowing

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According to Meleis (2007) knowing includes knowledge based on observation, research findings (evidenced based), clinical manifestations and scientific approach. As a stroke nurse empirical knowing it’s very important in taking care of stroke patients. I determine patient’s neurological status by performing neuro checks frequently every 1-2 hrs as the patient’s condition might deteriorate the first 24hrs and perform swallow test to determine if the patient can swallow medications. Patient’s plan of care is based on assessment findings(vital signs, Glasgow coma score).If a patient is confused and very weak fall precaution is observed by activating the bed alarms, request for a PT/OT consult, if the patient does not pass the swallow test, a speech therapist is consulted. Sometimes patient’s neurological deficits get resolved after a few hours or days and that calls for change of treatment plan. How do I know the nursing intervention to perform on stroke patients? It’s through empirical knowing. Empirical knowing is the ‘science’ of nursing, it can be systematically organized into general laws and theories that are used to describe, explain, and predict (Carper, 1978).Empirical knowing is knowledge obtained from school lectures, text books and journals. Empirical knowing focuses on evidenced based practice which leads to effective nursing practice. To be a competent nurse, you have to work on your empirical knowledge by attending stroke conferences, reading journals and continuing education units (CEU).
Compared to Schultz and Meleis, empirical knowing validates nursing actions or interventions. Historically patients were not told they were dying or information about having a terminal disease was never disclosed to patients (Smith-Stoner,2011).But over the years or decades, that has changed because of emphasis on patient centered nursing practice (

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