Nursing is both an art and a science. As a science, nursing expresses itself through the ability of the nursing professional to understand the medical process flows and terms that are essential for implementing treatment procedures, medication, and patient care (Henry, 2018). Nursing as a science is the most intuitive form of the discipline because it describes the technical part of the profession. Therefore, the science aspect of nursing includes an understanding of elements such as symptoms to diseases and corresponding treatment solutions, diagnosis plans, and the effects of various diseases and infections in the human body ( Smithers, n.d) . As a science, nursing is a set of various technical expertise and skills in matters of the human body such as anatomy, reproductive health, pediatrics, dental, mental health, among others. For instance, a patient suffering from diabetes will be diagnosed based on the knowledge of the professional about the pathophysiology of diabetes.
On the other hand, nursing is also an art. Nursing as an art encompasses the action bit of the profession, where the expert demonstrates their mastery and understanding of the science part of nursing. As an art, nursing relays information from the experts to patients in ways that maximize on the expected outcome of implemented procedures (Laucella, 2019). Different from the science part, the art of nursing can manifest even before an individual joins the career and is only triggered by the constant interaction with patient environments. For instance, the human touch in nursing is an example of the artistic part of the field. This activity involves several decisions made around devising ways to help the patient achieve the desired outcomes. The innate capacity of the nursing professional to make these decisions in congruence with the science, needs of the patient, and expectations tied to their career models the art bit of nursing.
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How does art and science influence current medical and nursing practices according to the current medical literature?
The art of nursing in the modern healthcare environment is expressed in the care, compassion, and communication frameworks installed by nursing professionals. These qualities are highly valued by patients and their families in the modern patient-centered care model used by medical professionals. The patient-centered care model has been evidenced by many modern scholars in the medical field to be effective in providing high safety standards and satisfaction for patients (Molley & Jackson, 2017). Nursing professionals exercise communication as a critical tool in creating a relationship with their patients, and build trust between them. Through trust, patients and professionals connect better and are able to have honest discussions which help the medical expert provide better services. Compassion and care are also key tools applied within modern patient-centered care to provide services that are beyond the ascribed duties of a nursing professional (Smitthers, n.d). For instance, helping a patient find directions of important locations within a healthcare facility, getting them transportation means in situations they do not have a family member to help, among many other duties.
On the other hand, nursing has also evolved to include technology in practice. Therefore, nursing professionals have had to undertake further training to familiarize with new technologies within the medical industry. Knowledge gained in these seminars and workshops have been essential in helping the nurses translate the medical skills and knowledge in line with efficiency provided by new technology. Examples of these technologies include modern MRIs, temperature-measuring instruments, tools for vitals assessment, as well as including the significance of data in decision-making processes. Nursing professionals have also had to familiarize with data terminology to understand how to translate collected information about patients and infections to create formidable solutions.
Examine past major influences on the health care environment and compare/contrast with the current major changes that influence professional nursing practice?
Modern nursing practice has been influenced mostly by technological advancements in the field. Technology has reshaped nursing practice through introducing new professions, and tools such as telehealth. Telehealth combines various types of technology to perform data processing of healthcare information, education in medical care, and software and hardware for enhancing clinical care (Carroll, 2018). Key telehealth technologies include remote patient monitoring, use of wearables, patient support, and application of smart technology in areas such as beddings. Wearables have redefined the measurement of patients’ vitals such as pulse, respiration rates, body temperature, and blood pressure. Millions of American citizens and people across the world have become consumers of wearables which are mostly wrist watches (Carroll, 2018). These devices extract data on people’s vitals and send the data packets to databases that are used to store this data for future use in decision-making processes (Wilson, 2018). Also, smart technology in communication has helped patients process information in a faster manner to physicians, as well as get quick feedback regarding their health conditions. These enhancements have made access to health services easier compared to the past. Furthermore, it has become cheaper for consumers to access fundamental information regarding their health, and consult with their medical care givers.
Technology was not dominant in the past era, but the period witnessed significant revolutions in science concerning healthcare. Major innovations that elevated the quality of healthcare were launched in the nineteenth century. These innovations formed a foundation for current technological advancements. For instance, major innovations that were highlights of the mid twentieth century included the establishment of the first Intensive Care Unit in 1953, the invention of dialysis for kidney treatments, among other cancer-related creations such as chemotherapy (Kelly et al., 2014). These inventions added more value to patient outcomes in healthcare through enhanced care for critical conditions, and new solutions for unsolved problems in the medieval period.
Explain new situations whereby the science of nursing conflicts with the art of nursing and suggest how you can resolve such conflict as a professional nurse
The primary role of a nurse is to balance their practice as an art and science. Through creating a balance, the professional maximizes on the patient outcomes. However, some situations cause dilemmas for nursing professionals, hence leading to a compromise of one part (Smitthers, n.d). Nursing as an art mostly aligns with ethics in nursing practice. However, nursing professionals may often find themselves in situations where their medical knowledge conflicts with the art part of nursing. An example of such a situation is when a patient experiences excruciating pain and has an option of pain relief before a permanent remedy or implementation of a medical procedure that includes more physical pain. Based on nursing as a science, a nursing professional needs to apply a medical procedure to quickly solve the patient’s condition even though it leads to more pain. However, nursing as an art demands the nurse to exercise compassion and care when handling the patient to avoid further pain even though they will be going against the recommendation by the science part of nursing. This conflict can be solved through compromise, as approved by the patient. Based on ethical principles of nursing, the patient needs to be informed about the repercussions of each decision and be helped to make a decision to be implemented by a professional. The solution should be partially satisfactory to each of the two options, that is, issuing a pain reliever before conducting the required medical procedure.
Summarize one recent reviewed article that includes the futuristic growth of the medical/nursing profession when applying both the arts and science of nursing
Locsin (2017) discussed the significance of combining technology and caring in enhancing nursing practice. According to the researcher, technological competency in the medical field reflects the coexistence of elements of machine technologies and caring in nursing. The most commonly used technology in nursing care are autonomous robots, which have future capabilities of functioning as human beings. The researcher insisted that theory-based nursing, which is the science part of the profession, is important in achieving high standard outcomes in medical care, but can only be more beneficial if applied with new technologies. Robotics utilize concepts from science in other fields to create solutions within medical care which improve the quality of human care by making processes faster and relieving nurses off rote tasks. While these benefits appear related to the science part of nursing at first glance, they formulate the art component of nursing practice. Implementation of robotics helps nurses focus on the most critical duties since rote tasks are handled by machines. Therefore, nursing professionals get more time to spend and communicate with their patients, create trust-based relationships, and exercise utmost care ( Morley & Jackson, 2017) . These benefits are part of art in nursing. Therefore, robotics is a creative way formulated by medical professionals in technology to tackle challenges facing patients in a more enhanced manner; faster and accurately. Thus, applying automation robotics in healthcare and nursing practice is part of the modern patient-centered care model which reflects both art and science as discussed.
What strategies have you employed to apply the knowledge of art & science of nursing into your own practice?
My approach in nursing practice is hugely influenced by the art in nursing, because I believe that the science part is more obvious. Therefore, I tend to put more emphasis on establishing contact with the patients. I strive to provide nursing care in a caring and compassionate manner. When coordinating the patients care, I aim to guide them through their care process, keeping them apprised, and do my best to anticipate future needs to reduce care interruptions and unnecessary wait times. I understand that the satisfaction of a patient with healthcare outcomes is also influenced by the personal care they received from the nursing professional. Therefore, I do my best to ensure that I connect with the patient, communicate accurately, and help them with any other thing even when it is beyond my scope as a care giver. For instance, I remember a night in the ER when I received a patient with disorderly inebriation. Based on information shared, we realized alongside other staff members that the patient was attending a funeral in town and was part of a Witness Protection Program. The police officers made a decision to initiate a patient transfer to eliminate the danger that the patient’s presence at the hospital created. Even though transporting the patient was not in his best interests, law enforcement officers insisted with the action plan. Out of concern, I volunteered to accompany the officers and the patient to monitor the patient and also make him feel secure within the company of police officers. I have been involved in many other similar situations. I always act with the focus of prioritizing human life before protocol and guidelines.
References
Carroll, K. (2018). Transforming the art of nursing: telehealth technologies. Nursing science quarterly , 31 (3), 230-232.
Henry, D. (2018). Rediscovering the art of nursing to enhance nursing practice. Nursing science quarterly , 31 (1), 47-54.
Kelly, F. E., Fong, K., Hirsch, N., & Nolan, J. P. (2014). Intensive care medicine is 60 years old: the history and future of the intensive care unit. Clinical medicine , 14 (4), 376.
Laucella, L. E. (2019). The Science and Art of Nursing: A Purposefully Designed Integrative Assignment. Learning Communities: Research & Practice , 7 (1), 4.
Locsin, R. C. (2017). The co-existence of technology and caring in the theory of technological competency as caring in nursing. The Journal of Medical Investigation , 64 (1.2), 160-164.
Morley, G., & Jackson, J. (2017). Is the art of nursing dying? A call for political action. Journal of Research in Nursing , 22 (5), 342-351.
Smithers, B. C. (n.d). The Science and Art of Nursing Practice. New York.
Wilson, D. (2017, April). An overview of the application of wearable technology to nursing practice. In Nursing forum (Vol. 52, No. 2, pp. 124-132).
