Abstract
The idea for this special issue came about as a result of a meeting at the 2016 Royal College of Nursing (RCN) International Research Conference where we both presented our research through the medium of poetry. Coincidentally for us, Gary Rolfe opened the conference with a keynote called ‘More poetry is needed’. Gary’s concluding remarks suggested that nursing research should broaden its scope to encompass a wider variety of scholarly activities, and nurse academics should not forget that they are first and foremost nurses.
Following the keynote address, the three of us got together with Ann McMahon and the idea for this special issue was born. Around the same time, Kath began collaborating with Frank Ormsby, a well-known Irish poet, and we are delighted that he has written a perspective piece for this issue on the experience of having a long-term condition.
In putting this special issue together, we have attempted to represent nursing research, education and practice and their relationship to poetry. The voices that the reader will hear through the papers are those of researchers, practitioners across disciplines, service users and undergraduate and postgraduate students.
We begin our introduction to the 11 papers in the way that would seem most in keeping with this special issue: through poetry. The title of each poem aims to give an overview of the associated paper and the stanza gives a deeper insight into the issues that are encountered. The accompanying reviews are in the main written as academic prose; however, one reviewer has opted to use a poem as their method of review. This is something we are experimenting with in class and in practice as a means of evaluation and we would welcome any feedback on how our readership engages with creativity in education, research or practice.
We hope you enjoy this special edition and perhaps consider how you might engage with this medium in your own nursing practice, whatever that is.
Historical review from war time tragedy,
Poetic reflections of nursing over time
Throwing yourself into others’ feelings
Poetry as an expression of being human
Duoethnographic intimacy to open sensitive dialogue
Writing about it, writing others, writing between two ‘I’s’, writing ‘we’
Back and forth – one sparks another
The privacy of metaphor and fragility of empathy echo and linger
Cathartic self-portrayal
Helping build empathy and cope with challenges
The bing bong of machines, compassion fatigue
Inadequacy and pyjamas that make your heart ache
Constructions of illness
Coping and comparisons
Performance management
in the quest for normalcy
Tensions, dilemmas and uncertainties
Death as medical inability
Socialisation of roles
Sterility versus visceral reactions
Use of stories, student reflective writing
Being free to express and author
The nameless bed, listening not just hearing
Avoiding the talk that leaves you feeling like cattle
Out of my depth
skulking in the ship’s bottom
Paralysed; an imposter
waiting to be exposed
Found poetry to uncover researcher identity
Exposed in the ontological quick sands
the mirror does not lie
Students emerge muddied but triumphant
Therapeutic, empathetic
Invigorating compassion and humanity
transforming education
Poetry makes nothing happen?
Cath r tic tale told with caution
Tension rising below, blood boiling above
Protocol presides over common sense
Whilst dignity and discomfort are the cost
Footnotes
Editors' Note
Vinette Cross died unexpectedly before this issue went to press. Her inspirational support to students and colleagues will be warmly remembered.