Category 

Points 

% 

Description 

Application of Course Knowledge: 

15 

30 

Answers the initial discussion question(s)/topic(s), demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the concepts for the week. 

Engagement in Meaningful Dialogue With Peers and Faculty 

10 

20 

Responds to a student peer AND course faculty furthering the dialogue by providing more information and clarification, adding depth to the conversation 

Integration of Evidence 

15 

30 

Assigned readings OR online lesson AND at least one outside scholarly source are included. The scholarly source is: 

1) evidence-based, 2) scholarly in nature, 3) published within the last 5 years 

40 

80% 

Total CONTENT Points= 40 pts 

DISCUSSION FORMAT 

Category 

Points 

% 

Description 

Grammar and Communication 

5 

10 

Presents information using clear and concise language in an organized manner 

Reference Citation 

5 

10 

References have complete information as required by APA   

In-text citations included for all references  AND references included for all in-text citation  

10 

20% 

Total FORMAT Points= 10 pts 

DISCUSSION TOTAL= 50 points 

Preparing the Assignment

Nursing knowledge is classified in a variety of ways, one of which is Carper’s Patterns of Knowing (Carper, 1978). Carper’s framework offers a lens through which the nurse can reflect upon insights acquired through empirical, ethical, personal, and aesthetic knowledge (Carper, 1978). Through intentional reflection using Carper’s Patterns of Knowing, nurses can process experiential learning and knowledge acquired through practice. The purpose of this assignment is to reflect upon a specific practice situation and better understand the professional knowledge and insights obtained through that experience.

Criteria for Content

1. Think of a surprising or challenging practice situation in which you felt underprepared, unprepared, or uncomfortable.
2. Select an important nursing issue/topic that was inherent to the identified situation.
3. Briefly explain the situation
4. Identify the nursing issue inherent in the identified situation
   1. As a method of refection, use Carper’s Patterns of Knowing to analyze the situation. In your discussion, address ONE of the following Patterns of Knowing:
      1. What do you think was the underlying reason for the situation? (Esthetics)
      2. What were your thoughts and feeling in the situation? (Personal)
      3. What was one personal belief that impacted your actions? (Ethics)
      4. What evidence in nursing literature supports the nursing importance of the identified issue? (Empirical)
5. What new insights did you gain through this reflective practice opportunity? How will this apply to your practice as a nurse practitioner? Be sure to use scholarly literature to support your position.

References to use:

Butts, B. J. & Rich, L. K. (2018). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Chapters 5, 7

Carper, A. B. (1978).  Fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing.  Advances in Nursing Science, 38, 13-24. 

Fawcett, J., & Cody, W. (1996). Scholarly dialogue. On the requirements for a metaparadigm: An invitation to dialogue. Nursing Science Quarterly, 9(3), 94-106.

Recommended:

Eisenhauer, R. E. (2015). An interview with Dr. Barbara A. Carper. Advances in Nursing Science, 38(2). 73-82.

Im, E.O. (2015).  The current status of theory evaluation in nursing.  Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71(10). 2268-2278.