Nurses’ Wisdom in Action in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Nurses seek to understand better what practicing with wisdom means and how to apply wisdom to practice; however, the experience of wisdom in nursing has not been well defined or researched. This study was designed to understand how emergency department (ED) nurses construct the meaning of wisdom within the culture of clinical nursing practice. Using Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory methodology, we developed a preliminary theory capturing the experience of wisdom in practice. The core theoretical model focuses on two juxtaposed processes, technical and affective, and is grounded in expertise. Significant findings were the recognition of affective categories, such as emotional intelligence, required to practice using wisdom. Results reinforce and extend the current wisdom literature and provide a new perspective on wisdom in practice in a nursing context.

The use of emotional intelligence capabilities in clinical reasoning and decision‐making: A qualitative, exploratory study

“…These managed emotions were often used to inform hypothetico‐deductive reasoning, with resultant buy‐in from team members and patient being empowered through the process. The cognitive dialectic employed by participants when engaging in both technical and emotional cognition during reasoning and CDM resonates with earlier work (Matney, Staggers, & Clark, ). In this earlier qualitative study, the juxtaposition of technical and affective skills was labelled affective nursing wisdom (Matney et al., ).…”

“…In this earlier qualitative study, the juxtaposition of technical and affective skills was labelled affective nursing wisdom (Matney et al., ). Although the authors of this earlier work acknowledge that emotion is present within nursing wisdom, they describe judgement, information processing and decision‐making as a technical skill that is distinct from affective skills (Matney et al., ).…”

Barriers and facilitators involved in standardised care plan individualisation process in acute hospitalisation wards: A grounded theory approach

“…Expertise is another key factor to be able to individualise a SCP with skill (Matney, Staggers, & Clark, ). The participants in this study point out that unskilled nurses feel indecisive when they individualise a SCP, due to their lack of theoretical knowledge and experience.…”

Use and Significance of Nursing Diagnosis in Hospital Emergencies: A Phenomenological Approach

“…Matney et al [ 24 ] suggests a model where the expert nurse develops after having lived considerable experiences, which allow the professional to use intuition in decision making and does not depend on explicit knowledge. Specifically, Edwards [ 25 ] reported nursing science as a practical knowledge, a "know-how", and how environments are of vital importance and contribute to the daily learning of the professional in direct contact with the patient.…”