Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing Article

Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing - Article Example While patient cases will have similarities, each case is also uniquely different and may require a different process of determining solutions. A patient is inherently individualistic, based on social and economic factors as well as the type of illness involved. What may work for one patient, may not work for another patient, due to differing circumstances of age, eating habits, social structure and economic environment such as working status or for those who are unemployed. Nursing morals and ethics will also come into play when confronted with issues of insurance coverage and what solutions are available as defined by the coverage, if there is any coverage. Consequently, right answers in one case may not be right in another, based on principles which are not always absolute (Nourreddine, 2001). Nursing Theory as a Guide for Knowledge When evaluating nursing knowledge, nurses will ask themselves what they know; what the extent of that knowledge is, based on how that knowledge is atta ined through various methods, and whether it is appropriate. Epistemology is the term used for the study in the theory of knowledge which has several basic types. Empiric knowledge is developed through scientific observations, suitable testing and ability to replicate and validate the information. Personal (priori) knowledge is attained from thought processes alone. Intuitive knowledge comes from feelings and hunches that come from unconscious recognition of experiences or patterns as known from previous experiences or by some type of educational process. Somatic knowledge is experience attained from a physical experience which becomes a learned process through conducting physical tasks. Ballet dancers and gymnasts are great examples of those with somatic knowledge. Metaphysical knowledge which is a spiritual precept of knowledge gained by acknowledging a higher power other than ourselves through religious practices, miracles, extrasensory perceptions, near-death experiences, and ot her conventions which are not scientifically proven, at least not currently. Esthetics is the knowledge of beauty and harmony, expression through creativity and art, and development of values which sustains these. Finally, moral and ethical knowledge is based on the concepts of what is considered right and wrong, based on social values and surrounding environment (McEwen & Wills, 2010). In nursing knowledge, it is not based simply on the scientific proof, but also on the social and behavioral sciences as well and, therefore, nurses rely on multiple genres of knowing. Carper (1978) presented four fundamental basic concepts which applied to nursing knowledge: empirics as the scientific form of knowledge, esthetics, personal knowledge and ethics. Empirical knowledge is gained through laws and theories which describe, explain and predict various phenomena, based on factual evidence (Carper, 1978; Carper, 1992; McEwen & Wills, 2010). This would be most evident in clinical practice conduc ted within the environment of the emergency department because split-second decisions must be made and they can only happen when there is enough knowledge from structural theory and from experience gained through other case experiences of trauma and sudden illnesses. Personal knowledge is ga

Social networking is effecting students grades Essay

Social networking is effecting students grades - Essay Example The social networking regimes have therefore hurt the cause of education more than anything else and the ones who have been hit the hardest are the students themselves. This raises an interesting proposition altogether – why not regulate the usage of social networking by the students so they can concentrate more towards their studies and less on how to mingle with friends, acquaints and the like? There seem to be no answers to such issues. The students need to understand that the social networking elements and tools have been affecting their educational realms and now is the time to realize what is hurting them the most. The sooner they will wake up to such conclusions, the better it would be for their respective selves. However, what is unfortunate is the aspect of non-realization that social networking is providing them more worries than anything else, and now is the time to understand that they have to find a way to move ahead with the social linkages that they have develop ed over the Internet. What is even more worrying is the fact that these social networking tools have involved within them gaming elements that have literally taken away the concentration levels of the students, and given them an alternate path in the wake of spending their lives, their own way (Hitch, 2011). The social networking understandings within the students’ grades have been proven as true with the passage of time. The teachers, instructors and even parents have raised their voice against the tyranny that these social networking elements have created, which have literally impacted the students in more ways than one. There seems to be a great amount of anarchy within the related ranks, and the undue credit for the same does rest on the shoulders of the social networking websites, tools and programs. Since the social networking domains do not consider how the same would be taking charge of the students and their related folds, they are trying their best to introduce new and novel applications, programs and features. This will ensure that the social networking will remain as pivotal for the sake of the students, much more than what education does for their own good. This is a very unfortunate happening but it is taking place for a number of reasons that can be deemed as wrong more than anything else. The social networking does more harm than offering any solace to the young ones who are bound to go wrong in the face of severe competition that they receive at the hands of their colleagues and friends, as well as the technological mastery that the social networking websites and tools have to propose, day in and day out. Therefore how social networking is being manifested by the elders within the society is something to write home about (Sarachan, 2011). This has been made apparent through the different procedures that they have adopted to keep away the perils that come attached with the social networking elements and realms within the society. It is f or this reason that social networking is now being seen as a very dangerous metaphor within the terrains of the society as the students are the worst sufferers at the end of the day. In the end, it would be proper to state that the social networking issues should be tackled at the earliest. This will help resolve the disputes and conflicts that have come to the fore. It will also restore the confidence of the parents within their young ones who are