Knowledge Development in Nursing
Knowledge Development in Nursing
Nursing enables professionals to interact with diverse patients and address complex health issues using multidimensional approaches. Central to successful nursing is the development and effective application of knowledge. Through patient care encounters, observations, research, and other sources, nurses enhance their knowledge to become more competent professionals. In addition, theories provide nurses with concepts and principles for care planning that can be applied in regular practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore a personal experience where Barbara Carper’s theory was used and an area of nursing where research will be valuable.
Patient Care Encounter from Personal Practice
Barbara Carper’s theory of “Ways of Knowing” explores the various approaches that nurses use to develop practice and improve their clinical knowledge. According to Carper, the four patterns of knowing are empirical, ethical, personal, and aesthetic (Blaine Brown et al., 2021). As the spine of evidence-based practice (EBP), empirical knowing is centered on facts and observable phenomena. Typically, nurses rely on data as the primary source of empirical knowledge to inform clinical decision-making. Ethical knowing involves nursing actions that are informed by ethical principles and values. Applying ethical knowing helps nurses deal with the complex moral dilemmas that they encounter routinely. As Ziegler (2021) notes, personal knowing is about gaining a deeper understanding of oneself and developing therapeutic relationships with patients. Aesthetic knowing focuses on the meanings that healthcare providers develop through their connections with others, particularly patients and families. Through aesthetic knowing, nurses bring their intuition and innovation into practice to address the patient’s unique needs.
A patient care encounter involving the application of the four principles occurred when an adult diabetic patient refused medication. His refusal was informed by fears after observing the side effects of the prescribed drugs on an elderly relative. In this scenario, empirical knowing was used through the application of clinical guidelines to ensure safe and effective care. Ethical knowing was evident since the healthcare team respected the patient’s right to refuse medication. This respect demonstrates valuing and recognizing the right of patients as autonomous decision makers (Lewis & Holm, 2022). Personal knowing was demonstrated through empathetic and active communication that fostered the desired nurse-patient relationship. Aesthetic knowing was used since the care team collaborated to educate the patient and develop a holistic plan that addressed the patient’s fears and diverse needs.
Specifics of Nursing Research
Geriatric care is an interesting nursing area due to the complexity of health problems facing older adults. This unique population also seeks a comfortable and longer life amid declining physical and cognitive health. Nursing research in relation to geriatric care includes the nursing process, professional motivation, body changes and medication outcomes, and the impact of care on patient outcomes in older adults. For instance, nursing research examines how ageism affects treatment response. Ngcobo et al. (2025) found a strong correlation between age-related physiological changes and the body’s response to medical treatments. These changes inform medication management and treatment plans when caring for older adults.
Importance of Research
Older adults require holistic care that addresses their diverse needs comprehensively. Aging complicates treatment due to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes that are associated with alterations in drug distribution, absorption, and sensitivity (Ngcobo et al., 2025). Research in this area has profound clinical implications since it provides knowledge that can be applied in treatment planning, patient education, and monitoring. The research can inform clinicians on how to individualize treatment plans based on the physiological profiles of older adults. Therefore, it is the cornerstone of effective medication management in geriatric care, which is associated with reduced risk of adverse events while enhancing patient outcomes.
Researching this Area is Valuable
Nursing research provides new knowledge for improving population health. Researching a topic in geriatric care is valuable because it helps enhance the health, well-being, and quality of life for older adults. Commonly, the prevalence of chronic diseases and related challenges increases as populations advance in age. Research enables nursing professionals to develop personalized plans that consider the patient’s needs and preferences, while promoting independence and self-reliance (Fatoye et al., 2021). Additionally, research improves knowledge on the management of age-related health problems, which supports efficient and effective patient care.
Nursing Research and Applied Medicine
Applied medicine focuses on applying scientific knowledge in the practice of medicine. Among its critical components is experimental research for better patient outcomes and clinical care. Nursing research supports the development of applied medicine by expanding the evidence base that informs innovative healthcare practices and enhances patient care. This knowledge further informs medical practitioners in decision-making regarding new treatments and care plans for general and specific populations. By integrating scientific knowledge into regular practice, nurses further refine care processes, contribute to the advancement of nursing science, and foster a culture of quality improvement. Jointly and independently, these impacts in applied medicine ensure the best possible care for patients.
Best Research Methods
Nursing research that develops applied medicine should generate robust evidence based on factual data. Like in other fields, the research question informs researchers on the most appropriate research methods. Qualitative and quantitative methods can be employed to investigate the impact of aging on medication outcomes or the effectiveness of specific nursing processes on patient outcomes among older adults. Quantitative methods include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. According to Renjith et al. (2021), qualitative research is suitable for exploring a healthcare phenomenon in-depth, albeit descriptively. It can also be used in nursing research to explore how different populations, like patients, perceive and experience an intervention.
Topic Determination
I will determine whether a topic qualifies as research-worthy using a three-point criterion. The first consideration will be worthiness. The research findings should have a positive contribution to the current body of scientific knowledge. Secondly, the selected topic should be relevant, implying that it will address a visible research gap. Thirdly, the topic will be practical to study in terms of time, resources, and the skills I need to carry out comprehensive research. The practicality aspect also considers the ease of data collection and access to research participants.
Research Topic Acceptance Criteria
A topic will be acceptable for conducting research based on several elements. These elements include the subject area’s focus, the researcher’s interest, ethics, and external validity. The implication is that the research topic should be relevant to nursing, interesting to study, and feasible to explore ethically. Ethics encompass transparency, adherence to a systematic research methodology, and compliance with the ethical codes of academic practices. Furthermore, the research findings generated by conducting the proposed study should be generalizable and applicable to the real-world nursing context.
Conclusion
Nursing knowledge is crucial to enhancing patient outcomes and advancing nursing practice. Geriatric care is an interesting area that can be explored in-depth via empirical research. A suitable topic in this area is the influence of age-related physiological changes and their interaction with medication. Researching this area will be pivotal in expanding the current body of scientific literature. It will also support nurses in decision-making and ensure better medication management and treatment plans for older adults.
References
Blaine Brown, B., Dillard-Wright, J., Hopkins-Walsh, J., Littzen, C. O. R., & Vo, T. (2021). Patterns of knowing and being in the COVIDicene: an epistemological and ontological reckoning for posthumans. ANS. Advances in Nursing Science, 45(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANS.0000000000000387
Fatoye, C. T., Gebrye, T., & Fatoye, F. (2022). The effectiveness of personalisation on health outcomes of older people: a systematic review. Research on Social Work Practice, 32(2), 146-154. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315211051629
Lewis, J., & Holm, S. (2022). Patient autonomy, clinical decision making, and the phenomenological reduction. Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy, 25(4), 615–627. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-022-10102-2
Ngcobo, N. N. (2025). Influence of ageing on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of chronically administered medicines in geriatric patients: a review. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 64(3), 335-367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40262-024-01466-0
Renjith, V., Yesodharan, R., Noronha, J. A., Ladd, E., & George, A. (2021). Qualitative methods in health care research. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 12, 20. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_321_
Ziegler, E., Kalvoda, S., Ancrum-Lee, E., & Charnish, E. (2021). I have never felt so novice: using narrative reflection to explore the transition from expert RN to novice NP student. Nurse Practitioner Open Journal, 1(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.28984/npoj.v1i1.342
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- Reflect upon a patient care encounter from personal practice in which principles from Barbara Carper’s theory of “Ways of Knowing” were used: Select a particular area of nursing that is of interest to you.
- Elaborate on the specifics of nursing research in relation to this area.
- Discuss what can be accomplished by researching your proposed area of interest.
- Discuss why you believe researching this area of interest will be valuable.
- Include an explanation of the following questions in your response:
- Discuss the role nursing research plays in the development of applied medicine.
- Discuss the best methods for conducting such research.
- Discuss how you will determine whether a topic qualifies as being research worthy
- Discuss criteria that will make a topic acceptable for conducting research.
