The perceptual aspect of nursing art: sources of accord and discord

Many authors have argued that nursing art involves a perceptual aspect. Perception is said to allow the artfull nurse to see, or envision, possibilities and to apprehend meaning in patient encounters. Although many nurses appear to agree that nursing art involves a perceptual ability, there is no apparent agreement about the nature of that ability. Indeed, a philosophical analysis revealed that sources of discord about the perceptual aspect of nursing art center on questions regarding the focus of the perceptual ability, the purpose of nursing art, whether foreknowledge is required, and whether the artfull nurse's perceptions are verifiable. The debate regarding the perceptual aspect of nursing art has been constructed with the hope that it will foster further debate and analysis about nursing art. Ultimately, the resolution of the sources of discord will assist in decisions about how the art of nursing is best pursued and developed.