Nursing and the Arts: Exploring the Creative Side of Healthcare

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, nurses serve as pillars of compassion, resilience, and innovation. Amidst the clinical demands and rigorous protocols, there exists a lesser-known facet of nursing practice: the integration of creative arts.

Let’s delve into the fascinating intersection between Nursing and the Arts, shedding light on how nurses leverage artistic mediums to enhance patient care, foster healing, and nurture their own well-being. From painting and music to storytelling and dance, nurses across the globe harness the power of creativity to transcend the boundaries of illness, forging deeper connections with patients and communities. This exploration not only celebrates the inherent creativity within nursing but also underscores its profound impact on healthcare delivery and the human experience of illness and healing.

May this article sparkle or even rekindle the passion for arts while pursuing the profession of nursing. Here are three of the inspiring nurses who explored their creative side.

THREE CREATIVE NURSES

Within the demanding realms of healthcare, there exists a cohort of remarkable individuals who not only excel in their roles as nurses but also actively cultivate their creative passions alongside their clinical duties. These five extraordinary nurses seamlessly integrated their artistic pursuits into their professional lives. Through their innovative approaches and unwavering dedication, they not only enrich the lives of those they care for but also inspire a new generation of healthcare professionals to embrace the boundless potential of creative expression in healing.

Rosem Morton

Rosem Morton, a Filipina documentary photographer, registered nurse, and safety consultant hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, is making waves in both the healthcare and photography realms.

Rosem Morton, originally from the Philippines, migrated to the United States and pursued nursing school. While balancing her studies with a part-time job, she discovered her passion for photography. Despite initial scepticism from others, Morton persisted and eventually purchased her first camera.

As a National Geographic Explorer, her lens focuses on the intersection of gender, health, and racial adversity, shedding light on often overlooked stories. Through her project “Wildflower,” which has garnered prestigious awards, she amplifies the voices of survivors of gender-based violence. With a decade of experience as a surgical nurse in major trauma centres, Rosem draws on her own journey, recognized by esteemed institutions like Pictures of the Year International and World Press Photo.

Pursuing nursing while indulging in photography on the side is a powerful blend of compassion and creativity that you can see in Rosem Morton. In nursing, we learn to capture the essence of humanity through care and empathy, while photography allows us to freeze moments in time, revealing beauty and emotion. Together, these passions create a unique synergy, enriching both our professional practice and personal expression

Jeanne Brynner

Jeanne Brynner’s journey into writing began during her nursing studies, where she documented her experiences caring for patients and reflected on her own life. Discovering the root cause of her mother’s illness during her mental health education added depth to her writing. She turned to poetry as a means of understanding her emotions and grappling with complex issues. A distressing event in the intensive care unit fueled her passion for advocating for children, prompting her to express herself further through writing. Ultimately, putting her thoughts on paper became a tool for Jeanne to gain clarity on various issues she encountered.

Jeanne discovered the value of setting clear goals and staying focused on achieving them. She advises taking the time to carefully define what you want to achieve, whether it’s writing a single poem or compiling a book of poetry. After determining your goal, break down the necessary steps and create a timeline for completion. Putting these plans into writing not only keeps you organized but also empowers you to advocate for your own progress as you work towards your aspirations.

Florence Nightingale

In 1844, Florence decided to pursue work in a hospital despite her parents’ objections, as nursing was not esteemed in mid-nineteenth-century England. She furthered her experience by volunteering in hospitals in Germany and France in July 1850. Upon her return to London in 1853, she assumed a managerial role at the Institute for the Care of Sick Gentlewomen.

Florence Nightingale’s primary method of persuasion involved presenting statistics in innovative ways, pioneering Data Visualization by transforming statistics into visual representations to underscore her points. Notably, during the Crimean War in 1854, she meticulously collected data on soldiers’ causes of death, creating a visualization that highlighted preventable deaths in blue, wounds in red, and other causes in black.

Her impact on data visualization as a representation of data is still seen these days. Truly, nurses are not confined to their profession, their ability extends beyond healthcare.

Leveraging on Artistic Mediums for Nurses

Nurses possess a unique blend of compassion, problem-solving skills, and creativity that enables them to excel not only in their professional duties but also in exploring their artistic passions. Despite the demanding nature of nursing, nurses can carve out time to nurture their creative side through various avenues such as writing, painting, music, or photography.

Engaging in creative pursuits serves as a form of self-care, allowing nurses to decompress and recharge after challenging shifts. Moreover, creativity fosters innovation in nursing practice, as nurses develop new approaches to patient care and problem-solving. By embracing both their nursing responsibilities and creative endeavours, nurses can achieve a harmonious balance that enriches their lives and enhances the quality of care they provide to their patients.

AuRNPathway as your Stepping Stone!

The AuRNPathway offers nurses a dynamic platform to advance your desired nursing career and lay the foundation for achieving their nursing goals. By providing specialized training and mentorship, this pathway will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your profession. As you progress in your nursing career, you’ll have the opportunity to master your profession and explore your creative passions, enriching both your professional and personal lives.