Donna Frost

Nature of professional artistry 203 6 Although some aspects of professional artistry were difficult for people within this inquiry to articulate, this particular pattern of engagement was often clearly recognised as having to do with the nurse in question and his or her ability to bring about changes in perspectives or situations. You [Floortje] are able to bring out the best in people. We have all learnt a great deal from you. (RNI- 2011 Col 02 Con-p 2 ) The situation was very upsetting but it was extremely helpful that she [Anna] supported me and continued to believe in me. But also that she helped me to keep believing in myself. Because I do now. I believe in myself again. (NPI- 2013 PatCon-p 11 ) I want to thank you [Dylan] for the guidance during my husband’s admission. You are a super nurse who pays attention to the welfare of the patient. I always had the feeling I could share my storywith you. Thanks to you I have managed to bring this terrible time to a positive close. (NPI- 2013 Fam 07 ThankYouLetter-p 3 ) Nurses practicing with artistry can also act as facilitators of professional development for their colleagues and future colleagues, as the first of these three quotes indicates. In some cases this had to do with providing an example of someone aiming high, in other cases being able to imagine future possibilities, for example, or having faith in the colleague’s potential before the colleague in question was able to imagine themselves developing in this way. Thanks for insisting that I could do it, encouraging and nudging towards the enrolled nurse training. In the end I am very happy about it! (RNI- 2012 Col 05 Con-p 4 ) Members of both inquiry groups used metaphors, during practice observations and CCCI meetings, in describing the moment of transformation; the moment when the potential energy present in the situation turned into movement, action, insight or change of some sort. See, for examples of these metaphors, Figure 6 . 10 .