I Am a Nurse by S.Idczak - Article Example

Developing confidence was a second issue in which nursing students felt insecure, however, most of them felt that if they performed skills well that their level of confidence improved rapidly and that this confidence then helped with their interactions with patients. Becoming aware of oneself was felt to be something that was needed in order to interact well with patients. These nursing students felt that they developed self-awareness through: "reflecting on their thought, reflecting on an interaction with a patient, comparing their thoughts to the actions of another nurse, and seeing inner role conflict" (Idczak, 2007 pg. 69). Nursing students must connect their newfound knowledge of the science of nursing with their need for the art of nursing and their ability to interact with patients.

This is the ability to connect the skills learned in the classroom and caring for the patients with the skills of determining the need and empathizing. Finally, all of these things must come together in making a connection with the patient. Idczak (2007) felt that the results of this study were an indication for assuring that nursing students learn not only the science but the art of nursing. They must have experience with patient/nurse interaction just like they gain experience in putting down an NG tube.

She also felt that nursing instructors very much need to look at their curriculums and assure that nursing students learn the art of nursing as well as the science of nursing. In conclusion, when one says "I am a nurse", it means many things and for the new nursing student, these can be identified in the two categories of science and art of nursing. Most clinical and classroom activities teach science and yet nursing is not the caring profession it has always been without the art and this becomes very important to add back to the curriculum.