Photovoice Project for a Family and Societal Nursing Course.

BACKGROUND

Aesthetic knowing requires an understanding of human experience while personal knowing requires self-reflection and awareness. Photovoice and arts-based learning utilizes different forms of art to elicit abstract and critical thinking and reflection skills in students.

METHOD

A photovoice project was assigned to first-semester nursing students to think about and reflect on human experiences of patients, families, and themselves in the nursing role. Items on a course evaluation gauged how students felt the project contributed to their learning.

RESULTS

Many students appreciated the different approach to learning and liked the chance to be creative. The project also required students to review the contents of the course for a final presentation. The photovoice project contributes to the development of aesthetic and personal ways of knowing and helps students meet course objectives.

CONCLUSION

The photovoice project is an effective and innovative way to develop aesthetic and personal knowing in nursing students.