Jean Watson's theory of nursing

Nursing Theory: Jean Watson's Theory Of Human Caring

Describe the theory and definitions of the concepts of the theory

The title of nurse Jean Watson's "Theory of Human Caring" may at first strike the reader as somewhat paradoxical -- how can the emotional sensation of caring be reduced to a theoretical discipline? "I consider my work more a philosophical, ethical, intellectual blueprint for nursing's evolving disciplinary/professional matrix, rather than a specific theory per se," notes Watson (2007). However, Watson's theory is both academic in its rigor and holistic in its approach. Watson organizes her theory around carative factors, or caritas processes as she prefers to call them, to be more consistent with the fluid and contemporary spirit of her philosophy.

These original principles include a formation of a humanistic-altruistic system of values on the part of the nurse, the nurse's instillation of faith and hope in the heart of the patient and the nurse's cultivation of sensitivity to him or herself and to others, including the patient and fellow healthcare providers. It stresses the development of a helping-trusting, human caring relationship and the promotion and acceptance of the expression of positive and negative feelings, on the part of the patient. It offers a systematic use of a creative problem-solving caring process, the promotion of transpersonal teaching-learning, the provision for a supportive, protective, and/or corrective mental, physical, societal, and spiritual environment, as well as assistance with gratification of human needs and the allowance for existential-phenomenological-spiritual forces (Watson 2007). The need for mental wellness, whether this takes the form of religious guidance from a hospital chaplain, some small improvement in the patient's environment, arranging visits from the patient's family or providing a comforting change in the patient's diet is acknowledged as well as the need for physical wellness and improvement. The nurse and patient work and learn together.

Describe how the concepts are related.

Watson hopes her theory of integrated care and creating a holistic caring environment will create an ideal of nursing tied back to Florence Nightingale's sense of calling and service, and the need to improve the patient's environment and spirit for the better as well as merely focus on procedures and functional tasks. Beyond a specialized focus around disease, treatment and technology, nursing must hold true to its original orientation as an "affective process that touch both caring and the one-being-cared-for" on a spiritual level (Watson 2007).

Document the discussion using the theorist and others comments about its use

Insight as to the application of the caring model can be gleaned by a questionnaire that Watson has helped created for patients upon outtake, to see if the nursing care they received cohered with her desired method. The questions ask the patient about the respect he or she received and include such statements as: "My caregivers have responded to me as a whole person, helping to take care of all my needs and concerns," which the patient must rate on a scale of strong agreement to disagreement (Nelson & Watson 2006). Showing such care is of equal importance as giving expedient treatment to the sick. The patient's feelings are a vital part of the nursing process, and treating and attending to those feelings is one of the central duties of the nurse. The nurse must foster an environment that is positive on a medical, environmental, and spiritual and psychological level. The person is always whole and complete on all of these levels, regardless of illness, and the nurse must acknowledge the patient's subjectivity and his or her connection with this different but equally valuable and integrated human being.

Theory's applicability and its use as a framework for the practice of nursing