Everyone knows that nursing is a science. But according to Florence Nightingale, the definition of nursing profession is an art. This essay is about nursing as an art and science.
Introduction
A significant debate in the theoretical frameworks of nursing is whether the discipline is considered an art or a science. Nursing focuses on the concept of care, which implies relational understanding and communication with patients. Meanwhile, a considerable time of the job is consumed on task-oriented, methodical approaches which are based on research and medicine. Therefore, the challenge arises in maintaining commitment through the moral and philosophical aspects of caring amid providing medical treatment, which must adhere to strict regulations. Nursing as an art and science combines theory and research with a commitment to offering care in the process of nurse-patient interaction.
Nursing as a Science
Reasons why nursing can be called a science include the fact that nursing uses scientific knowledge. It’s also characterized by extensive use of technology and evidence-based practice. Nurses use research and critical thinking in their work, which makes it a science.
Nursing is a science because the fundamentals of nursing practice consist of using scientific information of human beings in mutual process with their environment in order to provide for the well-being of patients. The discipline uses medical knowledge about the human health process which is based on theoretical frameworks. There are differing perspectives on whether nursing is a basic or applied science. As an applied science, nursing uses a combination of concepts from various disciplines without a recognizable focus on specific theoretical perspective or methodology (Barrett, 2017). Therefore, it can be argued that nursing is essentially a science due to its sophisticated approach to gathering knowledge and applying it for the purpose of ensuring the well-being of people using established theories and methodologies.
Nursing as a science consists of a delicate balance of skill, awareness, and efficiency. Modern nursing models call for the transition of scientific discoveries into medical practice and relevant supporting technology. A competent nurse requires a considerable amount of academic and clinical knowledge and skills which are reflected through critical thinking, decision-making, and evidence-based practice (Palos, 2014). To maintain clinical competency, nurses are taught the importance of engaging in the process of research and discovery. Maintaining the knowledge of current scientific research in a variety of disciplines relating to practice, from medical advances to efficient management, allows supporting the fundamental tenet of nursing: commitment to lifelong learning.
One of the most persuasive arguments for nursing being a science is the use of evidence-based practice. Evidence in healthcare originates from scientific research and meticulously developed into clinical practice. This ensures that each decision made regarding diagnosing and treating a patient are efficient and contribute to the delivery of care. Evidence-based practice consists of compiling information from multiple research studies that credible based on a number of criteria. Furthermore, the process of developing methodology consists of gathering input from both patients and practitioners. Although nurses often rely on established frameworks, it is encouraged to incorporate medical models into clinical practice, which requires an understanding of research methods (Dunphy, Windland-Brown, Porter & Thomas, 2015).
Effective nurses have to do more than follow a set of tasks. It is a profession that requires a sharp intuition to recognize the meaning and empathize with patients in order to advocate for their needs. Comprehensively, the process of delivering care as a patient transition from sickness to health is artful in every sense of the word. Art can be considered both a product and a process. In nursing, the product is the health of a recovered patient. Meanwhile, the process is an intricate method of care that is greatly dependent on a reciprocal relationship with a patient where information is shared and treatment is provided. Florence Nightingale, responsible for pioneering nursing theory and practice, has indicated that the discipline is more than the administration of medicine but the art of providing comprehensive care to each unique patient (Henry, 2017).
The art of nursing often refers to the exemplification of compassion, concern, commitment, and communication, amongst many other non-technical skills. Patients and families tremendously value these qualities, sometimes above the science aspect of nursing, which they may not recognize. In the transition of health systems towards patient-centered care, the art perspective has become a central component of nursing competency (Palos, 2014). Demonstrating empathetic qualities and practicing effective communication can have a significant impact on patient satisfaction, safety, and well-being even after they leave the hospital due to aspects such as adherence to medication.
Nursing models typically follow similar structures of identifying the patient’s diagnosis, appropriately responding, creating a therapeutic plan, and evaluating the outcome. A model known as the Circle of Caring seeks to build on this by expanding to include many of the “artistic” aspects of nursing. It includes a holistic nursing assessment which allows to create a more comprehensive understanding of the patient, including needs, values, and weaknesses, overall social determinants of health. Patient concerns are actively identified and addressed, particularly understanding the treatment received. The approach to creating a therapeutic plan is more holistic and creative, taking into account the uniqueness of each patient and using complementary therapies in collaboration with traditional interventions. Finally, outcomes are assessed on more standard quantified measures but assessing patient and community perception and satisfaction (Dunphy et al., 2015). All these aspects allow us to practice the artful aspects of nursing, such as empathy, patient communication, and advocacy.
Nursing as an Art
Nursing can be called an art because it involves creativity, empathy, and intuition. Soft skills of nurses include compassion, concern, and communication, which are connected with the art aspect of nursing.
Effective nurses have to do more than follow a set of tasks. It is a profession which requires a sharp intuition of recognizing the meaning and empathizing with patients in order to advocate for their needs. Comprehensively, the process of delivering care, as a patient transition from sickness to health, is artful in every sense of the word. Art can be considered both a product and process. In nursing, the product is the health of a recovered patient. Meanwhile, the process is the intricate method of care which is greatly dependent on a reciprocal relationship with a patient where information is shared, and treatment is provided. Florence Nightingale, responsible for pioneering nursing theory and practice, has indicated that the discipline is more than administration of medicine but an art of providing comprehensive care to each unique patient (Henry, 2017).
The art of nursing often refers to the exemplification of compassion, concern, commitment, and communication amongst many other non-technical skills. Patients and families tremendously value these qualities, sometimes above the science aspect of nursing which they may not recognize. In the transition of health systems towards patient-centered care, the art perspective has become a central component of nursing competency (Palos, 2014). Demonstrating empathetic qualities and practicing effective communication can have a significant impact on patient satisfaction, safety, and well-being even after they leave the hospital due to aspects such as adherence to medication.
Nursing models typically follow similar structures of identifying the patient’s diagnosis, appropriately responding, creating a therapeutic plan, and evaluating the outcome. A model known as the Circle of Caring seeks to build on this by expanding to include many of the “artistic” aspects of nursing. It includes a holistic nursing assessment which allows to create a more comprehensive understanding of the patient, including needs, values, and weaknesses, overall social determinants of health. Patient concerns are actively identified and addressed, particularly understanding the received treatment. The approach to creating a therapeutic plan is more holistic and creative, taking into account the uniqueness of each patient and using complementary therapies in collaboration with traditional interventions. Finally, outcomes are assessed on more standard quantified measures but assessing patient and community perception and satisfaction (Dunphy et al., 2015). All these aspects allow to practice the artful aspects of nursing such empathy, patient communication, and advocacy.
Nursing as an Art and Science
Since Nightingale’s theories, artful nursing has been essential for a holistic approach to practice. However, it is often disregarded in the professional literature. Those nurses who actively attempt to implement creative approaches have shown increased patient responsiveness, healing, and satisfaction (Rahim, Ruknuddin, Gramling & Tharani, 2016). It is important to note that with high demands and numerous tasks that the profession encompasses, nurses find it difficult to develop and practice artful components due to severely limited time. Furthermore, components of care and communication are based on demeanor and intuition, which makes it challenging to learn and measure. However, these factors play a driving force in nursing practice, improving the quality of care and patient experience (Palos, 2014). Thus, it is vital to achieve a balance between the scientific and artistic aspects of nursing.
This balance directly correlates with nursing autonomy and influence in a healthcare environment. It helps to provide value and participation in nursing contributions. An atmosphere of nursing competency and independence is established since methodical techniques are optimized, patient safety and needs are ensured, and empathetic caring is present. In turn, self-governance allows to influence policy and patient advocacy.
Conclusion
Nursing is a combination of art and science that uses scientific research and unmeasurable components of patient communication, such as offering empathy. It is evident that modern nursing practice and theory rely on both aspects to deliver high-quality care. Current standards of medical practice are reliant on more than just providing treatment based on scientific methodology but engaging in patient-centered care, which requires a manner of artistic approach.
References
Barrett, E. A. (2017). Again, what is nursing science? Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(2), 129-133. Web.
Dunphy L. M., Winland-Brown J., Porter B., & Thomas D. (2015). Primary care: The art and science of advanced practice nursing. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis.
Henry. D. (2017). Rediscovering the art of nursing to enhance nursing practice. Nursing Science Quarterly, 31(1), 47-54. Web.
Palos, G. R. (2014). Care, compassion, and communication in professional nursing: Art, science, or both. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18(2), 247-248. Web.
Rahim, S., Ruknuddin, R. J., Gramling, K. L., & Tharani, A. (2016). Shining a light on nursing art in Pakistan. International Journal for Human Caring, 20(4), 202-205. Web.