Theory of Personal Knowing
The main ideal presented in the article: Though there are are four ways of knowing in nursing, it seems that personal knowing is of utmost importance, but is often overlooked. Personal knowing is difficult to master and to teach; it is a skill that is typically acquired through actual nursing experience. This is a pattern of knowing that is necessary when caring for oncology patients because positive or negative nursing experiences can influence patient outcomes.
Summary of the material presented in the article: Personal knowing is closely related to the feeling of empathy. The author states that there are three dimensions of personal knowing that include opening, centering, and realizing. As the nurse continues to have personal patients encounters, these dimensions will guide the nurse to a better understanding of personal knowing. Reflection of the nurses feelings is necessary to grow and more aware of personal knowing in nursing.
Synthesis of the material presented in the article: As nurses we must individualize each patient and his or her disease process. Every patient encounter should be devoted to that specific moment. After the encounter the nurse must reflect upon the moment and emotions shared. In doing this the nurse is able to grow and develop a stronger personal knowing. The attitude of a nurse has the ability to influence a the well being of a patient, even it is only temporarily. As an oncology nurse the practice of personal knowing occurs daily. Not only do nurses grow their knowledge base in skills and medications, but as a caring, personable individual.
Thoughts most interesting to me and why: The article discusses that the oncology nurse must be available as an individual that is trustworthy and understanding. Once this relationship is formed the nurse can assist in guiding the family through the disease process and what to expect as it progresses. I find this interesting because as an oncology nurse, this is the type of relationship I strive to achieve with each individual patient. A patient who has a strong and caring relationship with his or her nurse tends to have a better understanding and coping mechanism with the disease process.
Author’s purpose: Jacob’s purpose in this article is to bring to light that personal knowing in nursing is equally as important empirical knowing, aesthetic knowing, or ethical knowing. Far too often nurses become task oriented and forget that one of the most important aspects of care in how we make our patients feel. Nurses must not get discouraged when having emotional encounters with patients, for this is a skill that is not learned, but acquired through experience.
Assumptions author makes: The author makes the assumption that the skill of personal knowing is only acquired after multiple patient encounters. Often nurses have developed this skill through personal experienced during the sickness of a family member or friend. As a teenager I lost my father to cancer and I feel that because of that situation I developed the personal knowing prior to becoming a nurse and this is also the force that influenced my career in oncology nursing.
How this article helps me understand concepts important to nurse practitioners: As a nurse practitioner it is of the utmost importance that the patients has a trustworthy relationship with the patient. By prescribing medications and recommendations we are asking these individuals to have confidence in our decisions. By mastering the skill of personal knowing the nurse practitioner can be a positive influence in the life of the patient.
Potential implications of material presented in the article for nursing practice/education and EBP: In order for a nurse to develop personal knowing, he or she must reflect upon patient encounters at the end of every day. From this point the nurse should think about what went well during the encounter and what could have been handled differently. This allows the nurse to expand as a whole and develop a deeper personal understanding. Because this skill is not cannot be taught to students, it is necessary to encourage times of reflection and ensure students that with due time they will develop personal knowing. Evidence has shown that the attitude of a nurse can positively or negatively effect the care a patient receives. This being the case, we as nurses must strive to have strong and trusting relationships with our patients in order to ensure the best care is provided.
Reference
Jacobs, L. (1998). Personal Knowing in Cancer Nursing. Nursing Forum, 33(4), 23-28. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6198.1998.tb00225.x
The main ideal presented in the article: Though there are are four ways of knowing in nursing, it seems that personal knowing is of utmost importance, but is often overlooked. Personal knowing is difficult to master and to teach; it is a skill that is typically acquired through actual nursing experience. This is a pattern of knowing that is necessary when caring for oncology patients because positive or negative nursing experiences can influence patient outcomes.
Summary of the material presented in the article: Personal knowing is closely related to the feeling of empathy. The author states that there are three dimensions of personal knowing that include opening, centering, and realizing. As the nurse continues to have personal patients encounters, these dimensions will guide the nurse to a better understanding of personal knowing. Reflection of the nurses feelings is necessary to grow and more aware of personal knowing in nursing.
Synthesis of the material presented in the article: As nurses we must individualize each patient and his or her disease process. Every patient encounter should be devoted to that specific moment. After the encounter the nurse must reflect upon the moment and emotions shared. In doing this the nurse is able to grow and develop a stronger personal knowing. The attitude of a nurse has the ability to influence a the well being of a patient, even it is only temporarily. As an oncology nurse the practice of personal knowing occurs daily. Not only do nurses grow their knowledge base in skills and medications, but as a caring, personable individual.
Thoughts most interesting to me and why: The article discusses that the oncology nurse must be available as an individual that is trustworthy and understanding. Once this relationship is formed the nurse can assist in guiding the family through the disease process and what to expect as it progresses. I find this interesting because as an oncology nurse, this is the type of relationship I strive to achieve with each individual patient. A patient who has a strong and caring relationship with his or her nurse tends to have a better understanding and coping mechanism with the disease process.
Author’s purpose: Jacob’s purpose in this article is to bring to light that personal knowing in nursing is equally as important empirical knowing, aesthetic knowing, or ethical knowing. Far too often nurses become task oriented and forget that one of the most important aspects of care in how we make our patients feel. Nurses must not get discouraged when having emotional encounters with patients, for this is a skill that is not learned, but acquired through experience.
Assumptions author makes: The author makes the assumption that the skill of personal knowing is only acquired after multiple patient encounters. Often nurses have developed this skill through personal experienced during the sickness of a family member or friend. As a teenager I lost my father to cancer and I feel that because of that situation I developed the personal knowing prior to becoming a nurse and this is also the force that influenced my career in oncology nursing.
How this article helps me understand concepts important to nurse practitioners: As a nurse practitioner it is of the utmost importance that the patients has a trustworthy relationship with the patient. By prescribing medications and recommendations we are asking these individuals to have confidence in our decisions. By mastering the skill of personal knowing the nurse practitioner can be a positive influence in the life of the patient.
Potential implications of material presented in the article for nursing practice/education and EBP: In order for a nurse to develop personal knowing, he or she must reflect upon patient encounters at the end of every day. From this point the nurse should think about what went well during the encounter and what could have been handled differently. This allows the nurse to expand as a whole and develop a deeper personal understanding. Because this skill is not cannot be taught to students, it is necessary to encourage times of reflection and ensure students that with due time they will develop personal knowing. Evidence has shown that the attitude of a nurse can positively or negatively effect the care a patient receives. This being the case, we as nurses must strive to have strong and trusting relationships with our patients in order to ensure the best care is provided.
Reference
Jacobs, L. (1998). Personal Knowing in Cancer Nursing. Nursing Forum, 33(4), 23-28. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6198.1998.tb00225.x