Learning to act like a nurse

Theatrical metaphors abound within the literature on nurse education and perhaps it is no accident that they do so. However much of the nursing literature implies that clinical learning involves the student in developing performance skills, and infers that this type of learning is inferior and superficial. This paper emerges from a discussion between the authors: a nurse educator, and an educator of performance students. It explores the concept of learning to be a nurse and compares this to learning to act and perform in the context of a contemporary drama and theatre course. Some authors suggest that students of nursing are merely demonstrating an unquestioning imitation of others (Taylor, 1997; Alexander, 2001). However, we argue that imitation is actually a useful and necessary initial mechanism that promotes deeper learning and critical thinking through which students gain expertise. Through the process of learning to act like a nurse, students are also learning to think like a nurse and ultimately to be, or effectively to perform as a nurse. In conclusion we propose an approach to performance which addresses a potential approach to teaching and learning empathy in a clinical situation drawing on a model of “immersive performance”, which can be adopted both by nurses and actors. Glossary/Terminology Situated learning: learning in a specific context and in a community of practice (Lave and Wenger 1991) Studentmanship: the performance and skilled execution of a clinical practice to meet expectations and definitions and standards (Olesen & Whittaker 1968). “unit of the role”: according to early 20 Century theatre director, Konstantin Stanislavski, performance actions can be divided into units and objectives which operate to clarify the situation, motivation and intentions of a character. Performativity: an utterance or gesture may have legal or other consequences, for example, “I do” in a wedding ceremony (Austin, 1955). Touching or any other close presence can be understood as performative if the intention is to contribute to healing or recovery.