Foundation of Humanistic Nursing Theory
Logic of Phenomenological Methodology
METHODOLOGY-A PROCESS OF BEING
Humanistic Nursing and Art
Chapter Eight
Humanistic Nursing and Art
Dr. Zderad wrote in this chapter that humanistic nursing implies humaneness. While this is a large component of any nursing phenomena, humanistic nursing is more. Another feature of their theory is incorporation of the humanities and art. This includes poetry, literature, drama, philosophy, artworks, music and so on. Humanistic nursing looks at the humanities and art as an expression of self and of interactions. In this sense the art of nursing is another form of dialogue and an extension of expression.
While much of contemporary nursing is focused on the sciences and most nursing educational programs are science based (Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in nursing) this doesn't mean that the arts are any less worthy. Dr. Zderad wrote that at first she thought of the art of nursing as being skillful or an aesthetic application of the scientific principles that she had been taught. Humanities and art were included in nursing educational programs for their humanizing and liberalizing effects. However, the conviction that nursing is an art. Being able to express why and how nursing was an art was just beyond reach.
The relationship of nursing and art are obvious when viewed with the use of art in the transaction of nursing. Many examples exist. Patients may be instructed to keep a journal to document passage through a difficult situation, a nurse may be able to express feelings of sorrow through poetry when a patient has died, both patient and nurse will use some form of drawing or painting as an expression of an intersubjective transaction. Common in pediatrics, geriatrics and mental health nursing is the use of art as an expression of difficult times.
The term art is used both as the outcome of work and the knowledge and skill of the workman. Thus, there are works of art and the skillful and knowledgeable way of doing something to produce a desired effect. Just as a drama or a symphony, the art of nursing can be viewed as a type of performing art. It can produce a relaxing, soothing, comforting effect and can be a joy to those watchful over a loved one that may be extremely ill. In this same vein, terms such as feeling, harmony, rhythm, tone, creativeness can be applied to nursing and art simultaneously. Just as art is individualistic, so is the art of nursing. While one method appeals to a certain population and not another, so is the art of nursing.
Nursing is itself an art. It can be drama, it can be dialogue, it can be a comedy. The patient can be viewed as an inspiration to and participant in the art of nursing. Humanistic nursing is also clinical art. It is creative, existential, dialogical, and seeking a greater whole.
Art and science represent angular views with a particular purpose. Dr. Paterson put them together in the word art-science. Think of it as an art and science melding.
Is it possible that there is in nursing a kind of human response to reality that is a combination, a true synthesis of art and science?...I experienced a similar difficulty in trying to describe the synthesis of art and science that takes place in the nursing process. The nursing dialogue reflects the orientations of art and science for it involves both the patient's and the nurse's subjective and objective worlds. I believe the synthesis of art and science is lived by the nurse in the nursing act. This is a phenomenon more readily experienced than described.
Yet if we truly experience nursing as a kind of art-science, as a particular kind of flowing, synthesizing, subjective-objective intersubjective dialogue, then nursing offers a unique path to human knowledge and it is our responsibility to try to describe and share it. (P & Z, p. 93)
