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Personal Definition of Nursing
Nursing Theory
Like most facilities, my institution stresses that it cares for its patients. Its belief in the value of caring and the place of caring at the center of nursing practice has caused it to make Jean Watson's Human Caring Theory the core of its philosophy. Watson's theory states that caring is an interpersonal science and a "caring environment is one that offers the development of potential while allowing the person to choose the best action for himself or herself at a given point in time" (Jean Watson's theory of nursing, 2012, Current Nursing). One critical assumption that I see implemented in my practice is the idea that "caring is more 'healthogenic' than is curing. A science of caring is complementary to the science of curing" (Jean Watson's theory of nursing, 2012, Current Nursing). Nursing may be a science, but nurses must always remember that the science of caring is at the forefront of their practice (Nursing models of care, 2013, Highland Hospital)
For example, even in the case of a terminally ill patient, a nurse can still provide assistance to improve the mental health and state of well-being of that individual. For persons who are still healthy,...
For patients who can be cured, while the nurse provides care, the nurse also acts as a caring teacher to guide the patient to be able to undertake more effective self-care processes.
Of course, as much as the facility tries to implement Watson's theory, it is not always possible to do so perfectly in practice. Nurses are often overscheduled and work many hours. Sometimes it can be very tempting to be efficient at the expense of caring. When I must, I try to be compassionate towards the patient even though sometimes I need to carefully 'zone in' on the specific facets of his or her condition that needs care, versus more subjective aspects of his or her illness. It is particularly challenging with older individuals who have little support structure and often seem to need emotional solace as much as physical treatment of their complaints. Caring can be very fatiguing for the nurse, but without caring from others people cannot heal.
I would say that my practice is a blend of caring science and Virginia Henderson's concept that nursing is about "increasing the patient's independence…
References
Jean Watson's theory of nursing. (2012). Current Nursing. Retrieved:
http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Watson.html
Nursing models of care. (2013). Highland Hospital. Retrieved:
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/highland/departments-centers/nursing/nursing-philosophy/model-of-care.aspx
http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Henderson.html
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