Detangling hairstory (history) in nursing by Beatrice Ogbekhiulu - copyright Beatrice Ogbekhiulu 

# The Art and History of Nursing

__[*The Art and History of Nursing*](https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/info/?sys=0&moduleCode=NUR3109) is an innovative taught module for third and fourth year nursing students at the University of Exeter. It invites students to explore literary and creative arts and their relationship to medicine, nursing and health.__


Art and History of Nursing overview article - text block 1

Through the Ages - by 3rd yr nursing students . Copyright Third Year nursing students (23-24)

Through the Ages - by 3rd yr nursing students - for website

Thought to be the only module of its kind in the country, it draws upon range of literature, historical information and artistic mediums, with the aim of teaching students more about nursing history and the perspectives of lived experience of health, illness and caring for others, and explores how the creative arts may offer an outlet for others to express emotions and experiences which may be otherwise hard to understand or verbalise. 

The module fosters an interdisciplinary approach to learning by encouraging the students to think more creatively about the representations of health and illness. This has seen the students collaborate with a diverse range of practice partners, charity organisations, primary care professionals, and University departments including chaplaincy, classics and ancient history, medical humanities, and medical history. 

Image: *Through the Ages* by 3rd year nursing students 2023-24. © Third Year nursing students(23-24)

The Art and History of Nursing overview article - image block 1

With an increased understanding of the theory of artistic interpretation, the students produce their own creative works, which culminate in a group exhibition each year. 

The exhibitions explore each student's creative learning journey and how they feel their artwork may have impacted upon their own and wider nursing practice, perceptions, compassion and empathy.  In 2023-4 The exhibition was widened to include artistic contributions from undergraduate and postgraduate cross-disciplinary students including nursing and occupational therapy, healthcare practitioners, and patients.

Online versions of the first two exhibitions, from academic years 2022-3, and 2023-4 can be accessed below.    

*Please note that the exhibitions contain some challenging themes such as cancer, racism and abortion, which some might find distressing.*

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A special exhibition of art in a variety of creative mediums by undergraduate nursing students at the University of Exeter. Each student has chosen a theme which has inspired their artwork.  The display also reveals, through accompanying text, the creative learning journey of each student and how they feel their artwork may have impacted upon their own and wider nursing practice, perceptions, compassion and empathy.

Exhibition: The Art and History of Nursing

An online art exhibition exploring themes in health care, by undergraduate and 
postgraduate cross-disciplinary students, nursing and occupational therapy and healthcare practitioners and patients. 

Inspiring New Perspectives:  A cross-disciplinary exhibition of the art and  history of care. 

This online exhibition from the University of Exeter's Academy of Nursing showcases original works by undergraduate nursing students, from paintings to poetry and sculpture to song. It forms part of the 2024-25 'The Art and History of Nursing' module, which is designed to deepen students' understanding of nursing history and the lived experiences of health, illness and caregiving. 


Nurturing Creativity

# Click on the images below to enter online exhibitions from the *Art and History of Nursing*.

Art and History of Nursing overview - link block to  online exhibitions

For further information about the Module The Art and History of Nursing, and the exhibitions displayed here, please contact Dr Marie Clancy, Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter in the Academy of Nursing: [m.w.clancy@exeter.ac.uk](mailto:m.w.clancy@exeter.ac.uk).

Art and History of Nursing overview article - text block 3

Find out about the innovative nursing module at the University of Exeter entitled,*The Art and History of Nursing*, and view online versions of the exhibitions of artworks created by those involved in the module.

The Art and History of Nursing

Click on the images below to enter online exhibitions from the Art and History of Nursing.