From experience to integration: the arts in nursing education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Holistic Nursing

Background:

• Traditional nursing education often lacks focus on the humanistic and expressive aspects of care.
• There is a growing recognition of the therapeutic potential of arts in healthcare settings.
• Nurses require diverse communication skills to connect with patients on a deeper level.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation and outcomes of an elective nursing course focused on expressive arts and healing.
• To explore how engaging with art forms can enhance nursing students' understanding of the human experience.
• To demonstrate the practical application of arts in healing principles within nursing practice.

Main Methods:

• A three-credit elective course, "Arts in Healing," was developed and offered to graduate and undergraduate nursing students.
• The curriculum included hands-on experiences in creating and appreciating various art forms.
• Participating students spanned all levels, from pre-nursing to graduate programs.

Main Results:

• Students gained a deeper appreciation for the humanistic dimensions of nursing care.
• The course provided tools for more meaningful and unique communication with patients.
• Examples of successful integration of course learnings into clinical practice were documented.

Conclusions:

• Integrating expressive arts into nursing education fosters enhanced empathy and communication skills.
• The "Arts in Healing" course model offers valuable insights for nurse educators seeking to promote holistic patient care.
• Nurses can effectively utilize art-based approaches to improve patient well-being and the therapeutic relationship.