Knowing In Nursing

The Importance of Knowing the Patient in Nursing Care
Knowing the patient is a reoccurring theme in a nurse’s life. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the specific understanding of knowing the patient, and the important role it has on nursing practice. Understanding the patient’s needs, and learning typical patterns of the patient increases the overall care given and critical for overall clinical decision making (Tanner, Benner, Chesla, & Gordon, 1993). The article The Phenomenology of Knowing the Patient, interviewed a sample of nurses on what they thought by knowing the patient, and the importance of the patient in nursing care. Knowing the patient is central to skilled clinical judgment, requires involvement, and sets up the possibility for patient’s advocacy and for learning about patient populations (Tanner, Benner, Chesla, & Gordon, 1993).
What difference does knowing the patient make in nursing care? The article revolved around answering these two important questions. Tanner et al. (1993) did a study that concluded with knowing the patient means an immediate grasp, and involved, rather than detached understanding of the patient’s situation and the patient’s responses. This has great impact on nursing practice. When you know the patient’s responses and characteristics, it can help to deliver optimum patient care. For example, if you check on a patient and the way they respond is different than your earlier assessment, maybe they are not keeping food down, or looking pale, you then know that something is wrong because you know how this patient usually responds. When you understand and get to know a patient you can recognize changes in their health more quickly and respond to it affectively. Making sure you get to know the patient also helps the nurse advocate for that patient by putting their needs before their