Nursing Is a Science, an Art, or Term Paper

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nursing is a science, an art, or both. There are three references used for this paper.

The nursing profession has seen a number of changes over the years.

When nursing first began it was mainly an art form aimed at easing the pain of the sick and injured. However, during the past century, nurses have learned not only the art of healing, but how to properly care for wounds and illnesses through scientific measures.

It is important to look at nursing as an art and a science, and how the two combine to define nursing today.

The Art of Nursing

When the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary General Hospital was founded in Portland, Maine, nursing was looked upon as an art. The infirmary's nursing school opened in 1891 and its students were taught the importance of having a good beside manner (Creamer, 2003). This practice has changed in recent times as many nurses are unable to spend much time with their patients.

Many of the early graduates from the school feel that "nurses just don't have enough time to practice their art.

It takes time to learn that art, but the alumni feel the girls will - as long as they ask questions (Creamer, 2003)."

The Science of Nursing

Nurses have always had a vague relationship with the equipment they used.

While perceiving "technology as enhancing both patient care and the scientific and social status of nursing, nurses have long been concerned that nursing not be defined or eroded by technology (Sandelowski, 1999).

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There has consistently been a link between technology and American trained nurses.

Although they may not have considered them technology, nurses have "always used a variety of tools, instruments, and machines including thermometers and cardiac monitors, enema cans and respirators, and beds and infusion pumps to appraise, treat, and comfort patients (Sandelowski, 1999)." It is impossible to think of nursing without "these tools of the trade and the techniques, divisions of labor, and social relations surrounding them (Sandelowski, 1999)." Nurses, as well as the American public, consider technology existing in scientific medicine, and feel these "devices allow them to vicariously participate in the prestige accorded medicine by virtue of its technology (Sandelowski, 1999)."

Many of the nursing graduates from the Maine Eye and Ear infirmary have "seen firsthand the advances in technology and medicine (Creamer, 2003)." Corinne Pickett, one of the graduates from the 1953 class states "the technology is mind-boggling. We sterilized all of our equipment, and we don't do that anymore. Today, we throw it away (Creamer, 2003)." Another change she has noticed is the misuse of technology, especially in terms of antibiotics.

Picket points out that "nurses used to be taught to control infection, but today are relying too much on using….....

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