News Releases

June 7 , 2004
GREAT Ambassador finds nursing to be part science, part art

I had never considered nursing as a career until a local physician encouraged me to take advantage of an available scholarship to earn my degree. I did, earning an associate's degree, and began my nursing career at West Georgia Medical Center 23 years ago. Now, I find myself in nursing school again pursuing my BSN degree.

Although I stumbled into this profession, it has proven to be a very rewarding career. Nursing is a dynamic field. I have discovered that there are many opportunities for professional and personal growth. Recently, I undertook a class assignment to write my philosophy of nursing. For the first time, I put what I believe nursing is into words. Nursing has been described as both a science and an art.

As a science, it strives to achieve "best practice." It is constantly changing in an effort to provide optimum patient care, incorporating new strategies through research and technological advances. As an art, it allows each nurse to develop their own personal style in care giving, through compassion, empathy, tolerance, honesty, and occasionally, humor.

Nurses have a unique ability to positively impact the lives of their patients. We are their advocates at a time when they are at an increased level of physical and psychological vulnerability. It is a nurse's duty not only to provide competent care, but also to protect the dignity and privacy, and relieve the pain and anxiety of the patients in their care. I also believe that small gestures, such as patting a hand, making eye contact, or adjusting a pillow for comfort can be equally as important as administering medication in treating a patient.

Nursing is a noble profession, and one that I am proud to be a member of. Sharon Harper, RN, Clinical Coordinator Georgia Heart Clinic