Donna Frost

Chapter 6 178 “I guess one could fall into routine and get stale. You could do some of this job like that, but not the important parts! I try and use my ‘whole self’. I certainly bring ‘myself’ to work.” (AnnaNPI-Mtg 2 -Rec 2 of 3 -p 8 ) Later in the inquiry the APNs were more explicit about their worldview. “I assume I can make a difference. I assume the people I work with can be connected with, the connection is what makes, what helps make the difference. I bring this idea, this thing I am convinced of, with me, I carry it into the consultation. […] In fact I am curious: ‘howwill it be this time?’” (MargaretNPI-Mtg 9 -Rec 2 of 5 -p 12 ) Although the ontology of professional artistry was not explicitly discussed within the RN inquiry, the members of this first CCCI group used similar phrasing. “It happens inside me; I don’t think an observer would see it. It’s the way I am.” (MaraRNI-Mtg 6 -Rec 3 of 3 -p 2 ) Actually, you can’t really be anything other than who you are. You can attempt to be a certain kind of professional, keeping a distance, not getting involved, like when there was talk here of ‘remaining professional’. I can see the point. But at a certain moment you can only be yourself. I don’t mean taking gifts or sitting to have coffee and a smoke by all the residents. I mean that you find yourself laughing, sharing a smile, you let it touch you, the people and their situations touch you and it makes you better at your job. If you can do this job and it never touches you and reaches you in the heart then I don’t understand it really. How can you? Maybe that’s who you are then? It’s not who I am. (JaneRNI-Mtg 10 -Rec 3 of 3 -p 12 ) The ontological and praxiological nature of professional artistry was expressed in various metaphors throughout the life of the inquiry, as summarised in Figure 6 . 1 .