Editor's
Note
The art of nursing
Creativity
is key to redefining the world of health care
Joellen Koerner,
Ph.D., MSN, RN
Midwest Edition Editor
November
6, 2000
Life
is filled with paradox – situations that hold the tension
of polar opposites simultaneously. Nurses care for people
who are facing great disruption in their lives. While illness
creates challenging situations, often it is also a time
of deep introspection and healing for issues beyond the
actual health challenges.
Nursing’s
work world holds a paradox as well. Decreased financial
resources and fewer nurses are coupled with increasing needs
and demands, challenging the health care industry to create
innovative ways to deliver services. In this complex environment,
some nurses are thriving while others are not. What makes
the difference – even within one institution? The capacity
for creativity is the key to redefining our world, our work
and our profession.
The
inherent direction of life is toward newness and discovery.
(Notice your own growth and development.) Creativity is
the process by which newness comes into form. Meg Wheatley
observed that the primary skill of living is the capacity
to create; it is our birthright. All living things are part
of a messy network of relationships. These relationships
behave in unpredictable and surprising ways. They co-create
with each other in a great dance of signaling and response.
All are free to create themselves as they choose, deciding
what they will notice and respond to.
What
do you choose to see and react to in your work world? Emotions
guide our focus and attention; good mental health is the
key to a flexible and dynamic professional career. Balance
allows us to touch the polar opposites while staying centered.
So how
can you as an individual nurse create a vibrant, healing
environment for yourself, your co-workers and the people
we are privileged to serve? Focusing on problems and solving
them takes us back to the situation that created them. Appreciative
inquiry focuses on what is working. Ask yourself, "What
was a great moment, situation or day at work?" Follow
with, "What gets in the way of it happening more often?"
When
we focus on positive scenarios we are looking at our preferred
future. Removing barriers to what is trying to emerge creates
an enlarged and more dynamic world. Engage your co-workers
in such a dialogue and act together on your discoveries
creatively.
This
issue of NurseWeek explores ways in which creative
health professionals focus on what is possible vs. what
is broken. They model a curiosity for life; they are learning
all the time, alert and noticing. They have increased the
complexity and capacity of their networks through cooperation
and sharing. Exploring the "promising practices"
of your peers and experimenting with your own insights are
great ways to expand your own capacity for creativity.
Noticing
how nature, animals and children model for us each day the
awe, wonder and joy of discovery helps us remember our creativity
birthright.
My grandson
is my mentor and creativity coach. Who is yours? Play. Discover.
Create. Care. Heal.
