Studying humanities can help individuals make a better sense of the human experience by providing alternative ways of perceiving reality. In essence, being more understanding brings healthcare providers to a new level of sensitivity and self-awareness and cultivates professionalism as well as skills in therapeutic communication and critical thinking. Therefore, humanist nurses will design and deliver quality, person-centered care to patients and their families.
Artwork Image
The above painting is the work of a talented American artist, Fredrick Childe Hassam, entitled Summer Evening. Hassam completed the artwork in 1886, and it is currently exhibited at the Florence Griswold Museum (Florence Griswold Museum, 2020). He usually painted flower-filled gardens that captured the joyous explosion of autumn color in an impressionistic style. This particular piece is an oil painting done on a canvas medium.
Learning about the Work
The painting depicts the unspoiled natural beauty of the countryside. Hassam initially drew his inspiration from French artists of the 1880s (Florence Griswold Museum, 2020). He would later focus on creating distinctly American artwork to reflect the unprecedented industrial growth of the 20th century. Thus, Summer Evening illustrates the fast-paced urban development and the unspoiled natural world that characterized America during this period. It depicts a break away from the hassles of city life and a longing to reconnect with nature. I find the scenic landscape and flowers rather charming and an inspiration to engage more with biodiversity.
At a personal level, learning about the work inspires a renewed passion for natural life. The woman in the picture seems to show certain pride and admiration for the flowers and panoramic landscape. Thus, the value of studying the artwork is an invitation to reflect on the human experience. It encourages me to perceive reality from the perspective of the other person. In my career, this higher level of understanding will ensure that I acquaint well with one’s condition in order to be more responsive and empathetic. According to Lim and Marsaglia (2018), entering the human experience requires cultivation of empathy through learning to appreciate esthetics. Thus, learning about this artwork will lead to a new perspective on how people perceive and react to nature. The experiential aspect of the painting will promote a humanist approach to care based on how an individual feels about his or her condition. By being more understanding, I will be able to offer proper and satisfying nursing care to my patients.
Specific Disciplines
Humanities have influenced my career as a nurse in several ways. Specifically, studying literature has enabled me to learn the value of individual life experiences. I have been able to attain a greater level of compassion and awareness of a patient’s physical and emotional reaction to hospitalization and disease diagnosis. Another discipline that has influenced my nursing career is philosophy. The philosophical thinking about human nature, including Aristotle’s metaphysics, has enabled me to understand how we perceive the world. Aspects such as free will and the soul highlight the spiritual and psychological dimensions of holistic care. Thus, humanity disciplines can promote our understanding of patient care needs.
Effect on My Career and Personal Life
Through this course, I will learn to recognize and process the human experience. I hope to cultivate habits of critical thinking, sensitivity, and empathy towards my patients. Through emotionally engaging experiences, I will be more understanding, an important value in the nursing career. Further, exposure to the narratives of individual experiences expressed in art, philosophy, and music will enable me to connect with our collective humanity. As a result, I will be more empathetic and able to make informed decisions in my personal life.
Conclusion
Studying humanities exposes one to multiple modes of perceiving reality and the human condition. The artwork, Summer Evening, depicts a longing for the natural life amidst rapid industrialization of the 19th century. The ability to absorb and understand artifacts and other pieces of art can promote reflective practice and patient-centered care. Increased knowledge of people will enable nurses to be more efficient in their professional roles.
References
Florence Griswold Museum. (2020). Childe Hassam.
Lim, F., & Marsaglia, M. J. (2018). Nursing humanities: Teaching for a sense of salience.
Nursing Education Perspectives, 39(2), 121-122. Web.