In nursing, it is essential to observe how different practices of caring for patients can influence their well-being, the course of the disease, and the effects of treatment. The primary responsibilities of a nurse as a caregiver include listening to the patients and responding to their needs. From my experience, caring for an individual’s emotional state can be just as critical as treating their physical condition. Especially in childcare, nurses should ensure a positive environment to help little patients overcome anxiety and manage pain. One thing that I have noticed is that engaging children in art help lower their complaints of pain. In this regard, a proposition statement can be formulated based on two concepts: art activities and pain. Encouraging hospitalized children to participate in art projects distracts them, and decreases pain.
Current research supports the idea of a positive influence of art activities on ill children in hospitals. As Wajcman (2018) notes, Children’s Mercy Hospital in Missouri introduced an art therapy program, expected to be successful, based on “art materials and studio environment, appropriate referrals, session processes, and the patient experience” (p. 104). Ceaușu (2018) confirms that improved emotional state, stress elimination, and colors can help heal “some organic and functional diseases” faster (p. 204). As Nabors et al. (2018) report, using art for distraction is beneficial for children as it can “facilitate their coping” (p. 1482). It is worth noting that the form of art activities can be as simple as coloring books. At the same time, more developed art projects can be implemented to help children in pain management.
To conclude, hospitalized children’s participation in creative activities is associated with lower complaints of pain. Therefore, it is essential to encourage the nursing staff to implement this non-pharmacological practice and ensure art opportunities in children’s hospitals and wards. Applying the suggested theory can improve the way the little patients are treated, which positively influences their emotional state and, in turn, helps with their physical recovery.
References
Ceaușu, F. (2018). The healing power of art-therapy. Review of Artistic Education, 16(1), 203-211.
Nabors, L., Cunningham, J. F., Lang, M., Wood, K., Southwick, S., & Stough, C. O. (2018). Family coping during hospitalization of children with chronic illnesses. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(5), 1482-1491.
Wajcman, K. (2018). Developing an art therapy program in a children’s hospital. Art Therapy, 35(2), 104-107.