Journal Learning Paper: The Art and Science of Nursing
Lane M. Murphy
NURS 501: Introduction to Nursing
University of New Hampshire
Abstract
The objective of the Journal Learning Assignment was for me to define the art of nursing and the science of nursing. Based on my definitions, I had my own opinion and viewpoint as to how nurses should act and perform their duties. In order to elaborate and accompany my own definitions, I watched two movies, Pearl Harbor (2001) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). Although the main characters in both movies were not nurses, nurses were visible in the movie and had a great effect on the outcome. After viewing these movies and critiquing and analyzing the nurses, I feel confident that I have gained a better understanding on the art and the science of nursing.
In recent years it has been an ongoing question as to whether nursing should be considered an art or a science. I believe that nursing is a combination of both art and science and could not be one without the other. Evident to any professional career in the medical field is the science involved including, the human anatomy, the proper diagnosis of injuries or illnesses, and the basic understanding of the human body and its daily functions. I believe that most if not all, of the science involved in nursing lies in one’s own knowledge. A successful nurse does not just memorize and understand the science for an exam, but rather retains it throughout the career and builds upon it. A successful nurse is able to simplify the complicated science to the patient so they have a basic understanding of what is going on. However, there is much more to nursing than just the science aspect. As a nurse becomes adapted to her own obligations, personal values, and career goals, the practice of nursing also becomes an art. The art of nursing is not something you can memorize or even practice; to me it is something that a nurse develops over time. Many good nurses are compassionate and have patience, something you can not learn from reading a textbook, but rather from first hand experience. I believe that every nurse has their own unique art, whether it is making children who are terminally ill laugh or having excellent composure under high-energy situations every nurse is special. While the understanding of science is extremely crucial to having a successful nursing career, the art of nursing is equally, if not more important. Often times a nurse’s individual art is what separates each nurse from one another.
In order to help me better understand the definitions of the art and the science of nursing I watched two movies, Pearl Harbor (2001) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). Both movies featured nurses in action; however both were extremely different in how they presented nursing as an art and as a science. The movie Pearl Harbor is set in Hawaii during World War II, when the United States was heavily attacked by the Japanese military. The movie is about two lifelong friends, Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) and Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett) who are serving as officers in the Army Air Corps and who ultimately fall in love with the same woman, Evelyn Johnson (Kate Beckinsale), a dedicated Navy nurse. The aftermath of the attack on the island of Hawaii is heart wrenching, and the movie focuses on the personal lives of Rafe and Danny and the numerous nurses who are working around the clock to save as many lives as possible.
The movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) is an Oscar winning film based on the novel written by Ken Kesey, which focuses on a character named Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson). McMurphy, a man who has several assault convictions against him has been admitted to a psychiatric ward. While there, the head nurse, Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), is watching his every move. When McMurphy first arrives to the psychiatric ward he realizes that there isn’t that much going on, so he aims to bring life to the ward by playing card games, gambling, and bringing in alcohol and prostitutes, which are all forbidden. Due to McMurphy’s actions, the medical staff on the ward, especially the spiteful Nurse Ratched, comes to find him as a threat and danger to herself, her staff, and other patients. In the end, the authority that McMurphy has gained over Nurse Ratched and the medical staff helps the other patients be free of her harsh power at the cost of his own life.
I feel that the art of nursing was best demonstrated in Pearl Harbor (2001) by the young Navy nurse, Evelyn. Up until the attack on the harbor, Evelyn demonstrated compassion to her colleagues and carried herself very professional while in uniform. The best example of the art of nursing occurred early in the movie, when all the men were getting their physical exams before departing for war. From her facial expressions, one could imply that Evelyn was confident and ready to complete her duties. When Evelyn examined the eyesight of Rafe, she showed extreme friendliness and extreme care. Although Rafe failed his eye exam, Evelyn could tell how much it meant for him to go fight for his country, so she passed him. Through Rafe’s eye exam Evelyn learned that he was dyslexic, a similarity he shared with Evelyn’s own father. Evelyn and Rafe were able to connect on a personal level, and by doing so Evelyn created an immediate connection with her patient. I feel this action demonstrated the art of nursing perfectly. Although Evelyn took a great risk in passing him, she had a good instinct and could relate to Rafe’s problem.
Ironically, I felt that there was not a true display of the art of nursing in the movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). Nurse Ratched was very cruel to her patients and made no conscious effort to relate to them. I think Nurse Ratched could have demonstrated the art of nursing several times throughout the movie, especially during the daily therapy sessions. During the therapy sessions, each patient opened up, talked about their life, and often became emotional. These therapy sessions would have been the perfect opportunity for Nurse Ratched to vocalize her concern to her patients and connect with them on a more personal level. I don’t think that Nurse Ratched did anything wrong by not demonstrating the art of nursing, but rather was taking her duties very serious in a hard place to work. I feel if she offered some compassion, or even smiled at her patients the overall mood of the patients and her colleagues would have had a positive impact on the ward.
In both movies, the art of nursing was portrayed in very different ways. Pearl Harbor (2001) portrayed a nurse who showed immediate compassion, a strong sense of bravery, and a love for nursing by interacting with her patients on a personal level. In contrast, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) lacked portraying the kindness Nurse Ratched’s patients rightfully ought to have. It was upsetting to see a professional lack the care and the compassion one deserves. By viewing these two films, it was clear to me that both nurses acted in a very professional manner by treating and caring for their patients in the situations they were in. However, it was also very clear to see how the nurses demonstrated a very different view on the art of nursing.
The science of nursing can be a very complex and complicated aspect of a nursing career. However, I think that One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) best demonstrated the science of nursing. The movie relied heavily on science throughout the movie, particularly because of its setting: a psychiatric ward. Nurse Ratched and her colleagues used several types of science to help her patients: shock therapy, group therapy sessions, restraining her patients, and continuous medications. When thinking of the science of nursing, one would automatically assume the anatomy involved and not think about the how the brain functions. Understanding how the brain works and controls the body is a major aspect of the science of nursing. Nurse Ratched and her staff showed immense education in a mental ward, a place that can become a very stressful environment if not taken seriously.
The science of nursing was not as prominent in Pearl Harbor (2001). Once again, Evelyn shows great authority and compassion when performing physical assessments on the military men. It is clear that Evelyn knows the anatomy of the human body and shows great composure, even when some of the men begin to give her attitude about receiving a shot. Evelyn is able to read the men’s charts and give them their shots without error. This particular scene shows that Evelyn is confident and has nursing knowledge even when put in stressful situations. Evelyn demonstrates the science of nursing throughout the film, and every time it is clear that she has studied and put forth a lot of effort into understanding how the human body works.
In comparing and contrasting both movies, I felt that the science of nursing was well shown in each. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) relied on the science of medicine to help their patients. Nurse Ratched relied heavily on medication, group therapy sessions, and shock therapy. Although some people may not consider Nurse Ratched’s actions as a science, they are a form of science that is essential to the wellbeing to patients who are mentally unstable. On the contrary, Pearl Harbor (2001) and Evelyn relied more on the anatomical science. Evelyn and her colleagues knew the human body and knew how to make use of everyday objects when supplies ran low. Overall, both movies demonstrated a different, but effective way on how the science of nursing plays a crucial role in the career.
I had seen both movies before this assignment, but had never analyzed the nurses as carefully as I did for this paper. After watching both movies, I would hope someday to resemble Evelyn as a nurse rather than Nurse Ratched. I thought Evelyn portrayed a nurse I would typically find working with children, something I hope to pursue in my career. Evelyn was dedicated, compassionate and loving to the military men. The qualities and composure that Evelyn showed throughout the movie are qualities that I would like to be associated with. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), Nurse Ratched seemed to be at the ward to complete her job. I felt like she showed no compassion or positive interaction towards her patients and lacked social skills. Being a nurse, one needs to have good communication skills and be able to take control under tense situations. Nurse Ratched lost control of the ward and lacked the qualities I believe are found in a good nurse. By watching the two movies, I was able to gain a better understanding of how important the art and the science of nursing are to a career that is devoted to helping people.
Knowing and understanding not only the art and the science of nursing, but how they compliment each other, is a critical aspect in becoming a successful nurse. The science of nursing is essential to diagnose, treat, and care for patients, however, the ability to interact and relate with patients in also crucial. A successful nurse should be able to leave each shift knowing something new about each patient, both in the science and the art aspect. A great nurse will look forward to go to work the next day to once again connect with his or her patient on a more personal level. All nurses must learn the art and the science of nursing, however, depending on how much effort the nurses put into it will determine how much they will get out of their career.
References
Bruckheimer, J. (Producer), & Bay, Michael (Director). (2001). Pearl Harbor
[Motion Picture]. United States: Touchstone Pictures.
Zeantz, S. and Douglas, M. (Producers), & Forman, M. (Director). (1975). One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest [Motion Picture]. United States: Fantasy Films.
