Question

Nursing is considered an art and science. Provide an example of how this can be true at the same time. How do nurses maintain their expertise in science and art professionally?

Answer 1

Nursing is considered both art and science. Science because the nurse needs to know the disease condition of the patient, its pathophysiology, causes , its route of transmission , treatment measures, prevention. All these are science as it is related to learning of human body. Therefore, nursing involves the study and implementation of science.

Whereas , nursing is also considered art because the nurse while dealing with the patient needs to communicate and provide psychological support to the patient. The process of making bed , managing the roles like teacher , counsellor, first aid provider, comforter all these are art .

For example : A patient is admitted with diagnosis of cancer. The nurse needs to know about cancer , its types ,treat, prognosis inorder to explain to the patient and relatives which is science and she providing the psychological support is example of art.

Therefore, nursing is considered both art and science.