Images of the Art and Science of Nursing - Essay Example

? Images of the Art and Science of Nursing The essay aims to provide an opportunity to continue on exploration of the art and science in nursing. Furthermore, the essay entails the potential benefits and limitations of using visual images in gaining greater appreciation of the art and science of nursing. Images of the Art and Science of Nursing Introduction Nursing is an art and a science and has been called the oldest form of art and the youngest of the professions. Nursing comes from the Latin word nutrix meaning nourishing and supply what is necessary to life (Basavanthappa, 2004, p. 1). Nursing as a science involves the scientific and theoretical explanation of certain phenomena. It observes, identifies, describes, and experiments on issues affecting the delivery of health. On the other hand, nursing as an art is the humanistic and creative application of the result of science. Basavanthappa (2004) identified that the art of clinical nursing is directed into four main goals: (1) understanding the patient’s condition, situation, or need, (2) enhancement of patient’s capability, (3) improvement of patient’s condition following a medical plan, and (4) prevention of remission and exacerbations which may cause anxiety, disability, or stress (p. 1). Contemporary nursing has evolved to a learned discipline and profession that combines the science and art of caring. Nursing combines scientific body of knowledge derived from primitive beliefs to high technology era and humanistic caring. Nursing focuses on the client’s response to illness, promotes health, and assists clients to move to a higher level of wellness. Nursing also provide care and assistance during a terminal illness by providing comfort and preserving dignity during the end-phase of life (White, 2005, p. 41). The development of nursing as a science and an art is traced through its rich history, array of visual images, and influence of social factors. Image Selection To further describe the art and science of nursing, six images were selected which depicted the historical and modern concept of the art and science of nursing. Among the images chosen are of Florence Nightingale, patient settings during Crimean War, nurse-patient ratio during early times, contemporary nurse-patient interaction, operating room scenario, and health informatics in nursing. The images are described below: A. Florence Nightingale Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) pioneered the concept of modern nursing. She was also credited for uplifting the standards of nursing and developing nursing as a science and an art. Nightingale persistently advocated cleanliness, good nutrition, and fresh air as well as the reform in health care (White, 2005, p. 44). During this time, nurses, care for the wounded around the clock with the oil lamps along them to light their way in the darkness. Similarly, this oil lamp represents Nightingale for she was able to give light to the darkness of caring and implemented scientific and artistic caring. Through Florence Nightingale’s principles, nursing practice and environmental modifications resulted in reduced morbidity and mortality rates during the war. (White, 2005, p. 44) She also worked to gain the public’s approval in producing well-educated nurses and for the concepts that were still used today such as a systematic method of assessing clients, individualized care based on the client’s need and preferences, and confidentiality (White, 2005, p. 45). Nightingale is one of the most outstanding figures that truly illustrated the foundation of scientific and artistic nursing. (Image retrieved from http://i.acdn.us/image/A6732/67325/300_67325.jpg) B. The Crimean War The outbreak of war in the Crimea, a peninsula on the north shore of the Black Sea from 1854 to 1856 marked the historical evolution of nursing practice and the birth of scientific and artistic nursing. War casualties outrageously increase and the British government became the consistent subject of national criticism. In light with this, Florence Nightingale found an opportunity to help the victims of war and practice nursing by making a proposal to Sidney Herbert (Secretary of War) to recruit a team of women trained in nursing to care for the sick and injured British soldiers (Timby, 2009, p. 3). Nightingale observed that the environment does not contribute to the wellness of the patients so she instructed the team of nurses to clean the filth, eliminate the vermin, and improved ventilation, nutrition, and sanitation. From the daily death rate of 60%, Nightingale’s team helped control infection and gangrene and lowered the death rate to 1% (Timby, 2009, p. 3). Servicemen and their families donated funds to sustain Nightingale’s advocacy and the work done by her team lead to the establishment of nursing schools that further develop the principles and practices in nursing. (Image retrieved from http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Florence-Nightingale-and-the-Crimean-War.jpg) C. Nurse-Patient Ratio During the time of Florence Nightingale, the number of nurses was not enough to care for the increasing number of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Religious influences played a vital role in this alarming nurse-patient ratio. During the Christian era, only nurses who functioned within a religious order were approved by the society to care for the sick and wounded (White, 2005, p. 44). That is why Florence Nightingale interfered to reform the system. Today, it has been found out through scientific researches that nurses can provide care effectively, decrease incidence of negligence and complications, and shorten hospital stays if number of nurses is appropriate to the number of patients. (Image retrieved from http://edhird.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/florence-nightingale11.jpg) D. Nurse-Patient Interaction The nurse-patient interaction is an application of the scientific body of knowledge that therapeutic communication can alleviate the sufferings of the patient, assesses needs and concerns of the clients, and contributes to wellness. Nurse-patient interaction is done with feelings and artistic expression of emotions without crossing the boundaries of professionalism. Thus, a nurse conversation with a client definitely illustrates performance of nursing as an art. (Image retrieved from http://goodlifezen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/nurse-with-patient.jpg) E. Modern Treatment The scientific advances made in nursing expanded the role of nurses from simple to complex. Nurses not just assistant of physicians rather they collaborate with each other to deliver a quality care. From assisting the patient and controlling their environment, nurses role broadened and became complex that they also conquer the operating room area and even the intensive care units. Nurses are essential in the operating room settings in adhering to the scientific procedures to avoid infection and complications (e.g., protocol in aseptic techniques). The art of nursing is also exhibited through the creative and artistic application of the procedures such as in draping the patient. Nurses not just only provide privacy and drape the client; they also put the drape in artistic manner that will look good in patient (Image retrieved from http://www.shantimemorialhospital.com/wp-content/gallery/infrastructure/picture21.jpg) F. Health Informatics Health informatics had greatly affected health care delivery. It is the most advance development made primarily to improve scientific knowledge and increase the access to health care. The traditional charting was out and the high technology charting is in. Large databases are now accessible which created new decision-making process and improved client outcomes (Daniels, 2004, p. 128). Researches were held in order to determine whether the arrival of health informatics will diminish artistic nursing since it limits personal contact. Studies found out that health informatics improved client outcomes and nurses were able to provide more time and artistic care with the client (Daniels, 2004, p. 140). (Image retrieved from http://gelblogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/nursecomputer.jpg) Potential Benefits of the Visual Images Visual images of nursing will greatly influence nursing students, nurses, medical professionals, and public. The visual images will make nursing students to value their profession because of what Florence Nightingale did. They will also understand that the freedom they have now to be a nurse is a privilege and they are luckier compared to those people who wanted to be a nurse but forbidden by the religious sector. The visual images a nursing profession has will perceive nurses positively, feminine, and caring professionals. Because of visual images, nurses will no longer be perceived as doctors’ handmaidens and the public will have increase understanding of the role of nurses based on these images. Potential Limitations of the Visual Images The used of visual images to portray the role of nurses might not be effective to the general population. The images will only lay basic perception about nurses and will not elaborate the underlying key roles. The images will also create either a positive or negative images based on the perception of the observer. Conclusion The public image of a profession is an important determinant of a group’s status in society. Media images play a key role in this respect as well as the pioneers of the nursing profession. Nursing has the image of being a science and an art and nursing leaders, such as Florence Nightingale sought to change the public image of the profession through altering their relationship with their patients/clients and reconceptualising notions of service. The visual images improved the perception of the general public among nurses but most of these images often convey a narrowed point of view. Health professionals and media should take partnership in making an in-depth representation of nursing along with these images and printouts. Self-Evaluation After I made a study and research about the images of the art and science of nursing profession, it made me understand that nursing as an art does not only focus on artistic performance of nursing procedures (e.g., bandaging) but on understanding patient condition through nurse-patient interaction. Through this activity, I learned to value nursing profession and to be careful of what I portray as a nurse. A simple image can make a variety of interpretations to the observer thus, nurses should appropriately select images that will convey positive images of nursing. As a nurse, I really felt that we are indebted to Nightingale for uplifting the standards of nursing. References: Basavanthappa, B.T. (2004). Concepts of Nursing. Fundamentals of Nursing (p. 1-30) New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd. Daniels, R. (2004). Evolution of Nursing Practice. Nursing Fundamentals: Caring and Clinical Decision Making (p. 1-20) New York: Delmar Learning. Daniels, R. (2004). Advanced Technology and Information Systems. Nursing Fundamentals: Caring and Clinical Decision Making (p. 129-144) New York: Delmar Learning. Timby, B.K. (2009). Nursing Foundations. Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts (9th ed.) (p. 2-15) Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. White, L. (2005). Nursing, History, Education, and Organization. Foundations of Nursing (2nd ed.) (p. 41-56) New York: Thomson Delmar Learning. Read More