Margaret Shetland's Philosophy of Public Health Nursing: A Comprehensive Overview

Dr. Margaret Shetland, a prolific public health nurse and academician in the 20th century, defined the philosophy of public health nursing as an evolving combination of art and science that emphasizes promoting health, preventing disease, and enhancing individual, family, and community well-being in the broader scope of society

According to Shetland, the art aspect involves the subjective interpretation, skill, judgment, intuition, and compassion that every public health nurse develops through nursing experience in various practice settings. This artistic side focuses on understanding the individuals and communities being served as unique.