Visual Art and Non-verbal Sensitivity: A Teaching-learning Program in Nurse Education

Abstract

This study introduced paintings, reproductions of works of art, alongside textbooks in student nurses? education. The aim was to study non-verbal language. Student nurses (N=436) at three university colleges of health sciences in Sweden served as study population. In written interpretations the students combined experiences and theoretical knowledge of non-verbal language with new impressions from the depicted persons. The findings pointed at paintings as a valuable source of knowledge of the non-verbal language. Student nurses expressed their existing insights of non-verbal language in a modulated way. Awareness of non-verbal sensitivity was developed.