The Aesthetic Project; ; a dance, poem, an original song, story, etc. and Describe the motivation for choosing this artistic expression Describe the meaning/symbolism of your work How this assignment deepened your understanding of nursing as caring in maternal and/or pediatric nursing, as viewed through Roach’s 6 Cs, Carper’s Ways of Knowing, or Mayeroff’s Caring Ingredients How the process of creating your aesthetic project may help you to respond to future calls to nursing using the concepts of caring science
Title: The Aesthetic Project: Exploring Nursing as Caring through Artistic Expression in Maternal and Pediatric Nursing
Introduction:
In the field of nursing, understanding the essence of caring is crucial for providing holistic and compassionate care to patients, especially in maternal and pediatric nursing. This assignment explores the application of three key nursing frameworks, namely, Roach’s 6 Cs, Carper’s Ways of Knowing, and Mayeroff’s Caring Ingredients, through the process of creating an aesthetic project. The purpose of this project is to deepen the understanding of nursing as caring in the specific context of maternal and pediatric care, while also preparing for future calls to nursing using the concepts of caring science.
Motivation for Choosing Artistic Expression:
Artistic expression, such as dance, poetry, and original songs, has the power to convey emotions, stories, and meanings in a unique and captivating manner. The motivation for choosing this form of expression for this assignment lies in its ability to represent the diverse experiences, challenges, and triumphs encountered in maternal and pediatric nursing. As an aesthetically crafted work can encapsulate symbolic and metaphorical elements, it becomes an ideal medium for exploring the complexities and nuances of nursing as caring.
Meaning/Symbolism of the Aesthetic Project:
The aesthetic project serves as a representation of the multifaceted dimensions of nursing as caring in maternal and pediatric nursing. Each artistic element within the project carries specific meaning and symbolism, thereby creating a cohesive narrative that reflects the interconnectedness of the various aspects of caring.
For example, in a dance performance, the movements, choreography, and music can symbolize the emotions experienced by both the healthcare providers and their patients. The rhythm of the dance may mirror the heartbeats of a mother during labor, creating an empathetic connection between the dancer and the audience. Meanwhile, the poetry or lyrics accompanying the dance can illustrate the diverse narratives and perspectives of the patients, highlighting their unique journeys and challenges in the realm of maternal and pediatric nursing.
Deepening Understanding of Nursing as Caring:
The process of creating the aesthetic project has deepened the understanding of nursing as caring, particularly in maternal and pediatric nursing, through the lens of Roach’s 6 Cs, Carper’s Ways of Knowing, and Mayeroff’s Caring Ingredients.
1. Roach’s 6 Cs:
Roach’s 6 Cs – compassion, competence, confidence, conscience, commitment, and comportment – provide a framework for understanding and integrating caring into nursing practice. Through the aesthetic project, each of these Cs was explored and embodied in different ways.
Compassion: The aesthetic project allowed for the expression of deep empathy and connection between the artist and the audience, fostering a sense of compassion for the patients and their experiences.
Competence: The creation of the project required knowledge and skill development in the chosen artistic medium, which parallels the need for competence in nursing practice.
Confidence: The project encouraged the artist to confidently portray the complexities of nursing as caring, showcasing the importance of self-assuredness in providing effective care.
Conscience: The project facilitated reflection on ethical considerations and moral decision-making, situating nursing as a profession grounded in conscience and ethical responsibility.
Commitment: Through the dedication and commitment required to complete the project, the artist reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals and values of nursing as caring.
Comportment: The project emphasized the importance of displaying a professional demeanor and conducting oneself in a caring and respectful manner.
By exploring each of these Cs through the creative process, a deeper understanding of their significance in relation to nursing as caring in maternal and pediatric nursing was gained.
2. Carper’s Ways of Knowing:
Carper’s Ways of Knowing – empirical, personal, ethical, and aesthetic – provide a framework for understanding different dimensions of nursing knowledge. The aesthetic project allowed for the integration of all these ways of knowing.
Empirical: The project called for the collection of data and empirical evidence to inform the artistic representation of maternal and pediatric nursing experiences.
Personal: The project tapped into the artist’s personal experiences, emotions, and perceptions, thereby illustrating the personal dimension of nursing as caring.
Ethical: The project prompted consideration of ethical issues and moral dilemmas encountered in maternal and pediatric nursing, highlighting the ethical dimension of caring.
Aesthetic: The project itself was an embodiment of aesthetic knowing, as it sought to capture and convey the beauty, emotions, and symbolic meanings of nursing as caring in maternal and pediatric contexts.
By engaging with each of Carper’s Ways of Knowing, a more comprehensive understanding of nursing as caring within the specific domain of maternal and pediatric nursing was obtained.
3. Mayeroff’s Caring Ingredients:
Mayeroff’s Caring Ingredients – knowing, alternating rhythms, patience, honesty, trust, humility, and hope – provide a framework for understanding caring actions. The process of creating the aesthetic project allowed for the exploration and integration of these caring ingredients.
Knowing: The project required research, understanding, and knowing the experiences, challenges, and needs of patients in maternal and pediatric nursing, fostering empathetic connection between the artist and the subject matter.
Alternating Rhythms: The project incorporated the dynamic and ever-changing nature of nursing as caring, capturing the ebb and flow of emotions and experiences in maternal and pediatric care.
Patience: The project demanded patience as the artist worked through the creative process, symbolizing the need for patience in providing comprehensive and compassionate care.
Honesty: The project emphasized the importance of honesty and authenticity in portraying the realities of maternal and pediatric nursing, promoting trust and understanding.
Trust: Through the expressive and vulnerable nature of the aesthetic project, trust was cultivated among the artist, the audience, and the subject matter, reflecting the significance of trust in nursing as caring.
Humility: The project underscored the humility required in acknowledging the limits of one’s understanding and the empowerment gained through collaboration and teamwork in maternal and pediatric care.
Hope: The project embodied hope, resilience, and optimism, portraying the transformative potential of nursing as caring in maternal and pediatric nursing.
By engaging with Mayeroff’s Caring Ingredients, the aesthetic project illuminated the various components that contribute to nursing as caring in maternal and pediatric nursing, ultimately deepening the understanding of these caring actions.
How the Process of Creating the Aesthetic Project may Help Responding to Future Calls to Nursing:
The process of creating the aesthetic project equips the artist with valuable skills and insights that can help respond to future calls to nursing using the concepts of caring science. Firstly, the project enhances creativity and artistic expression, fostering innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial in adapting to changing healthcare environments. Secondly, the project cultivates self-awareness and empathy, enabling the artist to connect deeply with patient experiences and their own emotions, thereby facilitating personalized and patient-centered care. Lastly, the project encourages critical reflection on the 6 Cs, Ways of Knowing, and Caring Ingredients, laying the foundation for a lifelong learning journey in nursing as caring.
Conclusion:
The aesthetic project serves as a powerful tool in delving deeper into nursing as caring in the realm of maternal and pediatric nursing. Through the exploration of Roach’s 6 Cs, Carper’s Ways of Knowing, and Mayeroff’s Caring Ingredients, the project offered a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances of nursing as caring. Moreover, the process of creating the project equips the artist with invaluable skills and insights that can contribute to future calls to nursing using the concepts of caring science. By merging art and nursing, the aesthetic project unveils the profound connections between these two disciplines and emphasizes the transformative potential of nursing as caring in maternal and pediatric nursing.