What makes a nurse unforgettable? Often, it’s not the medication they gave or the chart they completed, but the way they listened, reassured, or simply stayed present in a difficult moment. That’s the art of nursing — the human side of care that builds trust and brings comfort when patients need it most.
In this article, we’ll walk through clear art of nursing examples you can use in practice, from mental health to ICU, along with communication phrases and documentation tips to make your care both compassionate and professional.
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Understanding the Art of Nursing
The “art” in nursing refers to the compassionate, creative, and intuitive side of care. It’s how nurses connect, listen, and respond to human needs beyond vital signs or lab results.
Core Skills in the Art of Nursing
- Therapeutic communication
Using open-ended questions, silence, and validating statements.
- Example: Instead of saying “Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” say:
“I can see this is overwhelming for you. What’s the hardest part for you right now?”
- Example: Instead of saying “Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” say:
- Presence
Being fully engaged with the patient, even for a short time. Presence means turning away from the computer, making eye contact, and signaling: “I’m here with you.” - Compassionate care
Noticing small details that matter — like adjusting a pillow, remembering a family member’s name, or checking back after a difficult procedure.
These skills don’t require extra time or equipment. They simply require awareness and intention.
Practical Art of Nursing Examples
Here’s how the art of nursing looks across different specialties.
1. Mental Health Nursing
Scenario: A young adult with depression says, “I don’t see the point in being here.”
Nurse actions:
- Sit at eye level and maintain a calm presence.
- Reflect back: “It sounds like you’re carrying a lot of pain.”
- Allow silence so the patient feels safe to share more.
Why it matters: Empathetic listening gives patients a safe space to express thoughts they may have never voiced before. It reduces isolation and fosters trust.
Charting example:
“Patient expressed hopelessness. Nurse provided reflective listening. Patient engaged in conversation and verbalized feeling understood.”
2. Hospice & Palliative Care
Scenario: An elderly patient in hospice whispers, “I’m afraid of dying.”
Nurse actions:
- Hold the patient’s hand (with consent).
- Normalize feelings: “Many people feel afraid when facing this stage.”
- Offer presence: sit quietly without rushing.
Why it matters: At end-of-life, patients often fear being alone or misunderstood. Compassionate presence eases fear and helps patients feel valued.
Charting example:
“Patient verbalized fear of death. Nurse provided emotional support and presence. Patient appeared calmer.”
3. Pediatrics
Scenario: A 6-year-old cries as the nurse prepares to start an IV.
Nurse actions:
- Use distraction — bubbles, a toy, or a story.
- Give a simple, honest explanation: “This will feel like a quick poke. I’ll stay with you.”
- Involve the parent to provide comfort.
- Praise the child afterward.
Why it matters: Children fear the unknown. Distraction, honesty, and parent involvement reduce anxiety and create trust.
Charting example:
“Child tearful before IV start. Nurse used distraction techniques and parental presence. Child tolerated procedure with less distress.”
4. Maternity Nursing
Scenario: A first-time mother in labor says, “I can’t do this.”
Nurse actions:
- Reassure: “You are doing it. Let’s breathe together.”
- Guide slow breathing.
- Encourage partner involvement.
- Normalize feelings: “Many new mothers feel this way. You’re not alone.”
Why it matters: Labor is overwhelming both physically and emotionally. Compassion and coaching empower women, improving both their birth experience and recovery.
Charting example:
“Mother verbalized distress. Nurse reassured patient, guided breathing, and encouraged partner support. Patient reported increased confidence.”
5. ICU & Critical Care
Scenario: A patient is unconscious on a ventilator. Family members stand nearby, looking anxious.
Nurse actions:
- Greet the patient by name and explain procedures aloud, even if unconscious.
- Give family honest updates in plain language.
- Invite family to participate, such as speaking to the patient or providing gentle touch.
Why it matters: Families feel powerless in the ICU. Inclusion and clear communication reduce fear and strengthen trust. Speaking to the patient maintains dignity and respect.
Charting example:
“Nurse spoke to patient during care, explained procedures aloud. Family updated with clear information and encouraged supportive touch. Family verbalized increased understanding and reduced anxiety.”
6. Community & Public Health
Scenario: Teaching a caregiver how to use an inhaler for a child with asthma.
Nurse actions:
- Demonstrate each step slowly.
- Use everyday language.
- Ask caregiver to repeat the steps (teach-back).
- Offer encouragement: “You did that perfectly.”
Why it matters: Education builds independence. Clear, simple teaching helps families manage conditions confidently at home.
Charting example:
“Demonstrated inhaler use. Caregiver performed return demonstration correctly. Caregiver expressed confidence in administering inhaler at home.”
Mini Cheat-Sheets for Everyday Use
Ready-to-Use Phrases for Empathy
- “I can see this is really tough for you. What’s the hardest part right now?”
- “You don’t have to go through this alone — I’m here with you.”
- “It sounds like you’re feeling [insert emotion]. Did I get that right?”
- “Take your time. I’m listening.”
- “Many people feel this way in your situation — you’re not alone.”
Therapeutic Touch Guidelines
- When appropriate: hand-holding, a gentle touch on the shoulder, steady support.
- When to avoid: trauma history, cultural restrictions, or lack of clear consent.
- Tip: always ask — “Would you like me to hold your hand while we do this?”
Documentation Tips
- Avoid vague notes like “patient upset.”
- Be specific: “Patient tearful, stated fear of surgery. Nurse provided reflective listening and reassurance. Patient verbalized reduced anxiety.”
- Use direct quotes where possible.
- Always link nurse action to patient outcome.
Linking the Art of Nursing to Theory
Carper’s Ways of Knowing
The aesthetic way captures empathy, creativity, and intuition. It complements empirical knowing (science) by focusing on how care is delivered, not just what is done.
Research on Communication
- Patients who feel heard are more likely to follow treatment.
- Empathy reduces reported pain and anxiety.
- Families in ICU cope better when nurses communicate clearly and include them.
Why Theory Matters
Skills like listening, presence, and therapeutic touch are not extras. They are rooted in nursing knowledge. Teaching theory helps students value compassion alongside technical skill. Documentation validates these actions as professional care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Isn’t the science more important than the art?
No. Science ensures accuracy and safety, while art ensures humanity. Both are needed.
2. Can the art of nursing be taught, or is it just personality?
It’s both. Some traits come naturally, but communication and empathy can be practiced and strengthened.
3. Does empathy take too much time in a busy shift?
Not at all. Even brief actions — eye contact, silence, or a kind phrase — can change a patient’s experience.
4. How do you chart the art of nursing?
Be specific and link actions to outcomes. Example:
“Patient verbalized fear of surgery. Nurse provided reflective listening and reassurance. Patient reported reduced anxiety.”
5. What if a patient rejects empathy or touch?
Respect boundaries. Adapt to what each patient is comfortable with. Sometimes presence and silence are enough.
Conclusion: Blending Science and Art
The art of nursing is not an add-on — it’s part of professional care. It lives in the smallest detail: listening with patience, speaking with calm, or staying present when fear shows up.
Across mental health, hospice, pediatrics, maternity, ICU, and community care, the message is the same:
- Science keeps patients safe.
- The art helps them heal.
When nurses bring both together, care becomes precise and profoundly human. That balance — skill in the hands, compassion in the heart — is what defines nursing at its best.
