"To me the ideal of a work of art is that each man should be able, in contemplating it, to see himself as he really is. Thus art and reality meet. This is the great healing strength of art, this is the power of art, … Art's power which nothing can challenge, is the blinding light of recognition."[10]
By using various art forms the nurse helps the patient experience, become aware of, and express his feelings. When the activity occurs in a group, the members have the additional advantage of sharing in others' expressions and of developing fellow-feeling. Increased socialization is another important therapeutic effect nurse-artists/art appreciators seek in the use of art. A corollary benefit is improved communication between the patient and the nurse or between the patient and others.
Obviously, self-knowledge and fellow-feeling are consistent with the aim of humanistic nursing to nurture well-being and more-being. A person develops his human potential and becomes the unique individual he is through his relationships with other men.
NURSING AS ART
Thus far, this chapter has been concerned with the relatedness of nursing and art. It was seen that nurses may study arts and humanities for a broader understanding of the human situation, may express their nursing worlds through various art forms, and may use the arts therapeutically. Now the question is raised whether nursing is an art, and if so, what kind of art.
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Artful Application
Even the most scientific nurses do not deny that nursing is, in some way, an art. But precisely how the art and science of nursing are interrelated is not clear. For example, Abdellah writes:
"The art of nursing must not be confused with the science of nursing. The former concerns itself with intuitive and technical skills (often ritualistic), and also the more supportive aspects of nursing; the latter concerns itself with scientific truths. Both are important. They are interwoven and complement each other."[11]
However, Abdellah gives no further elaboration of this point. Usually, when nurses are asked about the relatedness of the art and the science of nursing, the view expressed is that science has to do with general principles and laws that govern nursing and art has to do with the particular application of principles in individual cases. Furthermore, when a nurse describes some event as "beautiful nursing" and is pressed to elaborate, she usually describes nursing actions that were performed "artfully," "skillfully," "harmoniously." Thus, in some way, the art of nursing has to do with the nurse's response to human needs through actions that are purposeful and aesthetic.