Donna Frost

Chapter 6 188 Figure 6 . 4 Working with parts and wholes: phrases noted by NP inquiry members when observing each other in practice together with creative expressions (Ria-Aafje- 20140624 - Photo 004 &Photo 003 ) made in response to a practice observation and CRC. Working with both the now and the not yet The third pattern of engagement has to do with the nurse being concerned not only with the situation in which he is immersed, but also with what could be. He is present and acting in the now and the now has his attention and his focus. Yet, paradoxically, so does the not yet. He sees, senses or imagines the not yet, the possibilities and potential of future situations. He is furthermore actively working to help them into being, or creating the space in which they can become. When practising with professional artistry, therefore, the nurse is simultaneously present in the situation and also activelyworkingwith possible future scenarios. This pattern of engagement is necessarily braided with other aspects of professional artistry: working in the ‘now’ involves being actively engaged with the parts and the whole, for example, and the not yet is an aspect of becoming. Whether working primarily technically in the midst of mad busy-ness, or working in relative calm, in dialogue with a patient, the nurse practising with artistry sees the potential for becoming in the midst of his activity. The potential for becoming may also be in the stillness, in being prepared to wait, to give it a little time, knowing that the stillness of the encounter or even a series of encounters creates room for existential movement or a shift of energy. Practising and being in this way links the many previous practice situations together in the person of the nurse. They are