The Art and Science of Nursing Demystified

Abstract or Introduction

In retrospection, the practice of nursing has experienced remarkable development since its inception. It is explicit that nursing profession has become the backbone of the healthcare system. As the healthcare system undergoes transformation to meet the needs of patients, the practice of nursing experience advanced developments. According to Salmond and Echevarria, healthcare transformation has led to a remarkable transformation of nursing as it is evidenced by the changing roles of nurses. This implies that traditional portrayal of nursing as an art has changed, giving contemporary nursing advanced dimensions. These new dimensions reflect the integration of science into the nursing practice. Therefore, it is explicit that science is what has been shaping the nursing practice. Ferreira acknowledges that modern nursing was founded as a profession that focuses on the art of caring. However, the adoption of science in nursing has transformed the profession into both art and science. Based on this understanding, this paper seeks to provide a focused discussion on how nursing practice is an art and science.

From the conceptual description, nursing profession was founded as an art. This is evident in Florence Nightingale’s perspective. However, it has taken more than a century to clarify the conceptual definition of the art of nursing. This new definition of the art of nursing has brought into light the fundamental roles of a nurse which justify it to be an art.