Evidence Based Practice and the Science of Nursing

Nursing: Art vs. Science

Florence Nightingale believed that nursing was both an art and a science, and her philosophy included the concepts of client, health, environment, and nursing (Alpers et al., 2013). Her view was that nursing should be grounded in science, with statistics providing the basis for logical decisions, while also promoting a practice where nurses could realize their full potential for care-giving. My opinion is similar: I see nursing as a field that includes aspects of art when it comes to providing holistic care, and aspects of science when it comes to interventions.

In determining which aspect is more prominent, I would argue that both the art and science of nursing are needed in the profession. The scientific aspect is needed so that nurses have the appropriate knowledge, education, training and skills to provide effective and safe quality care. The artistic aspect, however, is needed so that nurses can relate to, connect with, and care holistically for patients on a personal and individualized level (Taylor et al., 2018). Care should include the four aspects of the nursing metaparadigm to be truly holistic; it should be person-centered, and that means applying the art of understanding people and their needs even when they do not communicate them explicitly or directly. It requires skills like active listening and the ability to read body language and non-vocal cues. It requires empathy and humanity and compassion.

Ultimately, the balance between the art and science of nursing may vary depending on individual nursing roles—i.e., the type of care one is giving in a specific circumstance; sometimes more science will be needed than art; other times more art than science. It all depends on the specific patient’s needs at any given time, and the specific healthcare settings, too. Both aspects are essential, and their combination is what makes nursing what it is.

The art of nursing is fundamentally found in the element of compassionate care, where nurses apply themselves to understanding and responding to the emotional and psychological needs of the patient. The purpose here is to improve patient satisfaction. Thus, this aspect of nursing is not so much clinical as it is humane. The goal is to give the patient some level of satisfaction at the human rather than medical level in terms of care received

For that reason, empathy and compassion are at the heart of the art of nursing. This art focuses on understanding what patients are going through, physically, emotionally, socially, psychologically. It focuses on responding with kindness and sensitivity (Taylor et al., 2018). This emotional intelligence is important for nurses so that they can heal the mind and spirit just as much as they do in healing the body. Effective communication is a big part of this art. It is a skill that involves establishing rapport with patients, having the ability to listen actively and respond appropriately to the information given. This art is vital to holistic care. I believe a nurse must do more than simply convey medical information; a nurse must be able to comfort and reassure, especially during challenging times. Nurses are often the only bridge between the doctor and the patient; they need to be able to translate complex medical jargon into understandable language and give peace during a health crisis. This is definitely an art. So, too, is the creativity required in problem-solving. As each patient is unique, with their own set of needs, fears, and expectations, nurses have to be able to adapt to these varying needs and to think outside the box.

The science of nursing comes from the evidence-based practice aspect of nursing, which is needed in most interventions. This involves using and making sense of the best available research and clinical evidence as to be able to give informed decisions about patient care. It is very much a process that requires constant updating of knowledge based on the latest scientific findings, so that nursing practices are as effective as they can be and so that interventions are up to date.

Clinical knowledge and understanding of human physiology are helpful here; they deal with the science aspect of care as they focus on knowledge of treatment based on the physical side of things. To excel here, nurses need to have a very good and comprehensive understanding of how the human body functions, what illnesses look like, and how illnesses and conditions affect the body’s proper functioning. This knowledge is important in assessing patient needs, recognizing signs and symptoms of various health conditions, and understanding the implications of different treatments and interventions.

The use of technological tools and techniques is another big aspect of the science of nursing. Today's healthcare environment is very technological. Nurses need to be scientifically and technically equipped to be able to use electronic health records and some of the more sophisticated medical equipment. Nurses must be able to learn about and use technology so as to enhance patient care. This can include anything from monitoring vital signs to administering treatments or collecting and analyzing medical data.