Donna Frost

Chapter 2 54 Within this body of literature two theoretical frameworks, conceptualizing the helping relationship between nurse and patient and between professionals, and a systematic approach to continuous workplace and professional development have been developed and tested: skilled companionship (Titchen, 2001 b), critical companionship (Titchen, 2001 a; Titchen & Hammond, 2017 ), and practice development (Manley, McCormack & Wilson, 2008 ; McCormack et al., 2013 ) respectively. As well, the philosophical and methodological paradigm of critical creativity has been explicated (McCormack & Titchen, 2006 ; Titchen & McCormack, 2008 , 2010 ). Professional artistry and its relationship to transformative practice and human flourishing play a central role in each of these theoretical perspectives. The presence of this sixth and last aspect in professional practice is indicative of professional artistry, making this aspect an attribute of professional artistry, and movement towards human flourishing is also a consequence of practice demonstrating professional artistry. The meaning of professional artistry Parts and wholes, heart of inspiring practice. Focus, dynamic presence. Common to all conceptualisations of PA are aspects having to do with who the professional is and what they bring to the professional situation; the kinds of professional situations in which PA is evident; the ways in which the professional situation is perceived and ‘processed’ by the professional practising with professional artistry, the ways in which the professional acts in the situation and the kinds of outcomes that are expected. Where perspectives of professional artistry tend to diverge is in the extra attention given to dimensions of being and becoming , or the way in which professional artistry becomes central to other theoretical perspectives , for example critical creativity, or frameworks , for example critical companionship. Professional artistry is more, then, than the ‘art’ of nursing, where the art has to do with the interpersonal and less tangible aspects of practice. It is also more than the ‘artistry of everyday coping’ (Whiteford, 2007 ) outside a professional context. This concept analysis demonstrates that the concept of professional artistry transcends the ‘art vs science’ debate within the literature because both of these aspects of practice, and others besides, are needed for a professional to practise with