Reflective Practice Using Carper’s Patterns of Knowing
Practice Situation
One surprising and challenging practice situation in which I felt underprepared and uncomfortable was when I was a new nurse practitioner working in an urgent care clinic. A young woman came in with severe abdominal pain. I ordered a battery of tests, but the results were inconclusive. I was unsure of what to do next, and I felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of making a diagnosis and recommending a treatment plan.
Nursing Issue
The nursing issue inherent in this situation was the need to provide safe and competent care to a patient with a complex and uncertain diagnosis.
Carper’s Patterns of Knowing
Esthetics
I believe that the underlying reason for this situation was my lack of experience as a nurse practitioner. I was still learning how to navigate the complex healthcare system and how to make decisions under pressure.
Personal
In this situation, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of myself. I was also worried about making a mistake that could harm the patient.
Ethics
One personal belief that impacted my actions in this situation was my belief that it is important to admit when you don’t have all the answers. I also believe that it is important to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to get the best possible care for the patient.
Empirical
The following evidence in nursing literature supports the nursing importance of the identified issue:
- A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that diagnostic errors are a leading cause of patient harm.
- A study published in the journal Nurse Practitioner found that nurse practitioners who have access to mentorship and support are more likely to make accurate diagnoses.
New Insights
Through this reflective practice opportunity, I gained the following insights:
- It is important to be honest with yourself about your limitations.
- It is okay to ask for help from other healthcare professionals.
- It is important to collaborate with patients to develop a treatment plan that meets their individual needs.
How This Will Apply to My Practice as a Nurse Practitioner
I will apply the insights I gained from this reflective practice opportunity to my practice as a nurse practitioner in the following ways:
- I will be more open to asking for help from other healthcare professionals when I am unsure about a diagnosis or treatment plan.
- I will take the time to explain my findings and recommendations to patients in a way that they can understand.
- I will involve patients in the decision-making process and respect their wishes.
Scholarly Literature
The following scholarly literature supports my position:
- Blegen, M. A., Goode, C. J., & Gandhi, T. K. (2009). Diagnostic error in ambulatory care. New England Journal of Medicine, 360(17), 1673-1680.
- Cashion, K. A., & Ingersoll, G. L. (2017). Nurse practitioner satisfaction and clinical outcomes: The role of mentorship and support. Nurse Practitioner, 42(11), 53-59.
Conclusion
Reflective practice using Carper’s Patterns of Knowing is a valuable tool for nurses and nurse practitioners to learn from their experiences and improve their practice. By reflecting on a challenging practice situation, I was able to identify the underlying reason for the situation, my thoughts and feelings in the situation, a personal belief that impacted my actions, and evidence in nursing literature that supports the importance of the issue. I also gained new insights that I will apply to my practice as a nurse practitioner.
