Premium Essay

Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring

In:

Submitted By msmarsack
Words 3019
Pages 13
WATSON'S THEORY 2
Abstract
Dr. Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring was released in 1979, and has continued to evolve over the past three decades. Watson's theory describes a philosophical foundation for nursing, which puts caring at the center of practice. It focuses on patient centered care, with emphasis on developing a trusting mutual bond. The caring environment allows for optimal health promotion, growth, empowerment, and disease prevention. The present paper discusses the theory's main concepts, and the significance of the model to nurses, nurse practioners, and health organizations. As well as, how the theory applies to my personal nursing philosophy.

WATSON'S THEORY 3
Watson's Theory of Human Caring Many people choose to go into the field of nursing because of one's love to provide care for others. However, with the advancement in medical technology, task-oriented mentalities, heavy patient loads due to nursing shortages, and high paced environments, developing a caring relationship with a patient tends to take a backseat (Watson, 2009). Many organizations have shifted their practices to focus on patient-centered care. St. Luke's Medical center, the organization I work for, believes that caring for the whole person helps create a more personalized healing environment. This allows caregivers to focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit of the patient (Aurora Health Care, 2012). In my profession, I work hard to try and make this philosophy the center of my nursing practice. Overall, I believe that Dr. Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring contributes to my nursing practice as well as Aurora's. Dr. Jean Watson's theory of human caring was released in 1979, and has continued to evolve over the years. Watson's caring theory is well known in nursing, and facilities are increasingly employing her theory as the

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Comparing Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and the Neuman Systems Model

...Comparing Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring And The Neuman Systems Model Jayanna Volm Concordia University Comparing Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring And The Neuman Systems Model Nursing frameworks and conceptual models are imperative as a foundation for nursing practice. These frameworks provide recognition, understanding, and the ability to manage phenomena in which nursing comes into contact. These frameworks also provide the nurse with a systematic approach to interventions and goal attainment. The purpose of this paper is to compare Neuman Systems Model to Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. According to Alligood and Tomey the Neuman Systems Model is classified as a nursing conceptual model. “Nursing conceptual models are concepts and their relationships that specify a perspective from which to view phenomena specific to the discipline of nursing. Different conceptual models provide various perspectives or frameworks for thinking critically and making nursing decisions” (Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 223). The nursing conceptual models are comprehensive and define the metaparadigm according to their framework. Tourville and Ingalls categorize the Neuman Systems Model as a systems model. They define a systems model of nursing as viewing “the person as a multidimensional being who reacts continually to a world of stressors” (2003, Systems Model, para. 1). Systems may be organizations, communities, businesses, or social structures. Within the large...

Words: 4045 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Blooms Taxonomy

...Applying Watson's Theory for Caring Among Elders. Gerontological Nursing, 22(2). This article was about the elderly living in a retirement center and how volunteers came in and did an experiment using Jean Watson’s theory of caring and also a format called the Laughing spirit listening circles. During this experiment they gathered 6 elderly women to share their stories of the past, just listening and caring about what they had to say. The experiment was a success with the women saying it felt good to have someone just listen to them. In this article they touched on Jean Watsons carative factors and how important it is to use them in a health setting even though it may be difficult as we are always focusing on medical asspects. Sitzman, K. (2002, May). Interbeing and mindfulness: A bridge to understanding Jean Watson's theory of human caring. Nursing Education Perspectives, 23(3), 118. This article is about Jean Watson’s theory of caring and how it compares to different ideas of wholism. It compares the Zen method and Thich Naht Hanh’s concept of interbeing. All 0f the ideas are about focusing on a person as a whole and how we as nurses need to treat our patients with care and respect. The article also talks about how we can teach nursing students the idea behind caring and treating patients as a whole. Caruso, E., Cisar, N., & Pipe, T. (2008, April). Creating a Healing Environment: An Innovative Educational Approach for Adopt Jean Watson's...

Words: 683 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Jean Watson

...Running head: JEAN WATSON'S THEORY 1 Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring Robyn Waters NUR/403 August 29, 2011 Stephanie Merck JEAN WATSON'S THEORY 2 Abstract Jean Watson, professor, nursing theorist, developed her theory of Transpersonal Caring from her own experiences of nursing and information she received during her higher education years. Her idea was to bring attention to professional nurses. Nursing is becoming more interdisciplinary and involving. Watson's theory is centered to subjective inner healing and a person's experiences. These are achieved by carative factors. Carative factors is the caring process, not the curing process. Watson established ten carative factors. Along with these carative factors, Watson identified seven assumptions. Along with the assumptions, Watson describes the nurse's role. The primary nurse's role is to establish a caring relationship with his or her patient. This can be achieved by caring moments. Moments that transform the patient and nurse connecting them together. Watson classified human needs like Maslow classified his hierarchy needs. As a nurse I contemplate on how I provide my care. I am there to help my patient's meet their human needs. JEAN WATSON'S THEORY ...

Words: 2103 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Jean Watson’s Caring Theory

...Jean Watson’s Caring Theory Nurses’ responsibilities to their patients are continually changing with the times. Jean Watson formed the “caring theory” to convey the significance and emphasize nursing as a diverse health profession. Using the Jean Watson’s caring theory enables nurses to maintain their perspective on caring for patients when overwhelmed with increased acuity, responsibility and workload. With the increase of patients and their needs, nurses often replace the caring attitude with an attitude of arrogance and hurried tasks, leaving patients and family members with belief that nurses believe they are here just to perform a job. By applying the Watson caring theory in caring for patients, “it allows nurses to practice the art of caring, to provide compassion to ease patients’ and families’ suffering, and to promote their healing and dignity but it can also contribute to expand the nurse’s own actualization” (Cara, 2003, p 2). Watson believes it is crucial that nurses apply caring values to their practice because it is essentially a byproduct in discovering the meaning of the nursing profession (Theory of Human Caring, n.d.). The foundation of this paper is to expound on the caring theory Jean Watson designed “to bring meaning and focus to nursing as a distinct health profession” (Cara, 2003, p 2). Description of the Theorist In the 1940’s, Jean Watson was born in West Virginia in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains. In 1961, graduated from the Lewis Gale...

Words: 2520 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Imprortance of Theory: Jean Watson’s Caring Theory

...IMPRORTANCE OF THEORY: JEAN WATSON’S CARING THEORY NR 501 Teresa Acosta Chamberlain College of Nursing IMPRORTANCE OF THEORY: Jean Watson’s Caring Theory Currently, healthcare systems all over the world are experiencing some sort of reorganization at the administration level. Things are changing, practice and healthcare policy continue to transform at a rapid rate. Nursing theory has worked to provide stability and rationality to the ever changing field of nursing. The profession of nursing, just like any other profession, must work to prove the legitimacy of its practice which is accomplished through the confines of theory (McCrae, 2012). According to Alligood (2014), nursing theory not only fosters the development of nursing education and literature but also assists in practice advancement. This is important for laying a foundation and progressing in the field of nursing and helps to provide the basic knowledge for nursing care that involves “caring”. With all the change and uncertainty in healthcare, human caring has the potential to become a lost cause (Cara, 2003). Caring should be a central theme in nursing and the foundation of all nursing care (Watson, 2009). The goal of this paper is to explore and summarize the central ideas of Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring and to apply her theory to current practice and show its relevance...

Words: 1597 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Paper

...Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring " The nursing profession, and each nurse within it, is invited to consider/reconsider: How do we walk through life? How do we get our footing to bring the artistry of caring and global caritas consciousness into our lives, our work, and our world?" Jean Watson Theory Overview: The philosophy of caring and science examines the relatedness of all and includes human science, human caring processes, experiences, and phenomena. The Seven Assumptions About Caring (Jean Watson’s theory of nursing, 2012) 1. Caring can be effectively demonstrated and practiced interpersonally 2. Caring results in the satisfaction of human needs 3. Caring promotes health and growth 4. Caring accepts a person as is and looks beyond to what that person may become 5. Caring offers the development of potential 6. Caring is equally important as curing 7. The practice of caring is central to nursing Three Major elements of the theory: The Carative Factors The Caring Occasion/The Caring Moment Transpersonal Caring (Lukose, 2011) The Carative Factors Caritas originates from the Greek, meaning to cherish and give special love (Lukose, 2011) Goal was to guide the “core” of nursing
In contrast to medicine’s “curative factors” Interdependent
 Used to “honor the human dimensions of nursing’s work and the inner life world and subjective experiences of the people we serve” (Watson, 2007 as cited in Lukose, 2011)
 First three factors are the...

Words: 1118 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Jean Watson

...find ways to improve patient care and have significantly increase patient health outcomes. This historical perspective essay will focus on the works of Jean Watson and how it has significantly influences the nursing profession. Jean Watson as a Theorist and Watson’s Paradigm Jean Watson developed the theory on human caring that focuses on the care towards the individual, families, and groups. Watson describes caring as a different way of being human and nursing is through helping an individual achieve a higher degree of harmony with the mind, body, and soul (Suliman, Welmann, Omer, & Thomas, 2009). The nurse goes beyond the physical assessment of the individual and into a deeper understanding of the individual’s perception of the situation. Nursing focuses on assisting and helping the individual achieve harmony with self through a transpersonal caring relationship. The theory provides balance through identifying and describing how nurses provide care, in a carative than curative orientation (Sitzman, 2007). The awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings by the nurse, provision of care would not just be based on the physical needs of the patient but rather the nurse will be able to provide a more holistic patient care. Jean Watson’s Contribution to the Nursing Profession Watson’s theory of caring emphasis that caring endorses our professional identity and understanding humanistic behavior is important in healing. It is imperative that the nurse must know that the mind...

Words: 485 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Caring Moment

...The Caring Moment Brittany Seawright NUR/403 June 18, 2012 Stephanie Merck The Caring Moment Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring was developed in 1979 (Cherner, 2007). Watson’s nursing theory was developed to bring meaning and focus to nursing as a diverse health profession (Cherner, 2007). Watson believed caring is what heals and help patients to live (Cherner, 2007). She believed patients should be treated as a whole to promote health. Watson’s theory has transformed the way nurses care for patients today; nurses build caring-interpersonal relationships with patients, treat patients as holistic beings- body, mind, and spirit, and provide care with a positive attitude. Background of Watson’s Theory Jean Watson is from West Virginia, United States (Current Nursing, 2012). Watson obtained her Bachelor’s degree in 1964, Master’s degree in 1966, and her Doctoral degree in 1973 at University of Colorado (Current Nursing, 2012). Watson’s theory “nursing: human science and human care” was published in 1988 (Current Nursing, 2012). According to Alligood (2012), “Watson defines caring as the ethical and moral ideal of nursing that has interpersonal and humanistic qualities” (p. 111). Watson created this theory to carry out significance and attention to nursing as a diverse health profession with unique worth, intelligence, custom, morals, and purpose (Alligood, 2012). Watson believed patients should be cared for in a loving and caring manner. Carative Factors Watson associated...

Words: 1853 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Jean Watson

...The Theory of Jean Watson Sheila A. Arao, RN University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao Abstract Dr. Jean Watson She was born on June 10, 1940 in Williamson, West Virginia, USA. She pursues her education of BSN in University of Colorado, 1964, Masters in University of Colorado, 1966, and doctoral degree in University of Colorado, 1973. Jean Watson’s Theory of Nursing Care is a middle-range theory that focuses on the interconnectedness of patient and nurse. Nurses play a vital role in their patients’ life and by developing caring behaviors, they could facilitate healing. This theory also focuses on authentically caring about the whole patient and understanding the power of a meaningful therapeutic relationship. Watson believes caring about oneself is important and integral in a transpersonal relationship. The theory introduces clinical caritas process which help guide the nurse toward developing caring behaviors. They include general concepts of faith, trust, love, hope, caring, selflessness, spirituality, energy, and understanding. This theory is very significant to nursing practice and can be applicable to all fields of nursing. This paper will briefly elaborate Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and elucidate its strengths and weakness in the acute care setting. Introduction Biography Jean Watson was born on June 10, 1940 in Williamson, West Virginia, USA. During her education years, she graduated high school in West Virginia, graduated the Lewis Gale School of Nursing...

Words: 2406 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Care Theory Compare and Contrast Paper

...Care Theory Compare and Contrast Paper Jean Watson’s Theory of human caring is based on transpersonal relationships and developing a caring environment that offers the development potential while allowing the person to choose the best course of action. Through interactions with others we learn how to recognize ourselves in others. Watson believes that through these interactions humanity is preserved. John Paley’s article A Slave Morality: Nietzchean themes in nursing ethics criticizes Watson’s theory that caring is central to nursing. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast John Paley’s article to Jean Watson’s Commentary on Shattle M (2004) Nurse-patient interaction: A review of the literature. A discussion of Watson’s background and care theory; John Paley’s background, and a brief discussion Friedich Nietzschen’s major philosophical beliefs. Jean Watson’s background Jean Watson was born in West Virginia in 1940. She graduated from the University of Colorado where she earned her BSN, MS, and in 1973 her PhD. Dr. Watson is widely published and has received many awards and honors. She is a distinguished professor of nursing and endowed chair in Caring Health Science. She is also a fellow at the American Academy of nursing. Watson’s research specialized in loss and human caring. She developed the Theory of Transpersonal Caring, which is also referred to as The Caring Model in the late 1970’s. Her theory evolved over many years, but the principles have remained...

Words: 1571 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

A Pragmatic View of Jean Watson’s Caring Theory

...A Pragmatic View of Jean Watson’s Caring Theory Chantal Cara, Ph.D., RN Université de Montréal Faculty of Nursing Goals Provide an overview of Dr. Jean Watson’s caring theory to the nursing community. Facilitate the understanding of her work allowing nurses to readily apply this knowledge within their practice. Objectives Describe the general aspects of Watson’s caring theory. Describe how Watson’s caring theory can be applied to clinical practice. Describe the person through Watson’s caring lens. Describe the person’s health through Watson’s caring lens. Describe nursing through Watson’s caring lens. Key Words: Watson’s caring theory, clinical caritas processes, transpersonal caring relationships, caring occasion, clinical application of Watson’s theory Abstract As most health care systems around the world are undergoing major administrative restructuring, we expose ourselves to the risk of dehumanizing patient care. If we are to consider caring as the core of nursing, nurses will have to make a conscious effort to preserve human caring within their clinical, administrative, educational, and/or research practice. Caring must not be allowed to simply wither away from our heritage. To help preserve this heritage, caring theories such as those from Jean Watson, Madeleine Leininger, Simone Roach, and Anne Boykin are vital. Through this continuing education paper we will learn the essential elements of Watson’s caring theory and explore an example of a clinical...

Words: 6985 - Pages: 28

Premium Essay

Watson's Theory of Human Caring

...Watson’s Theory of Human Caring Watson’s Theory of Human Caring Introduction Human caring is what sets nursing apart from other professions. As Watson (1998) stated, “care and love are the most universal, the most tremendous and the most mysterious of cosmic forces: they comprise the primal universal psychic energy. Caring is the essence of nursing and the most central and unifying focus for nursing practice” (p. 32-33). It is important to establish a good nurse-patient relationship in order to create a healing environment that would meet patient’s needs on all levels including physical, mental/emotional and spiritual, promote recovery, maintain health, and create positive outcomes. Jean Watson emphasized the importance of human caring and how it influenced nursing practice. This paper aims to define caring moment, discuss background and major concepts of Watson’s theory of human caring, and describe a clinical experience of a patient-nurse interaction with personal reflection. Caring Moment The caring moment happens when the nurse and patient come together with their unique life histories and enter into the human-to-human transaction in a given focal point in space and time (Caruso, Cisar, & Pipe, 2008). The actual caring occasion has a greater field of its own in a given moment; the process goes beyond itself, yet arises from aspects of itself that become part of the life history of each person, as well as part of some larger, more complex pattern of life (Watson...

Words: 2268 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Nursing Theory

...Jean Watson's Theory of Caring In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course N207-Theoretical Foundations in Nursing at University of the Philippines Open University. This blog is dedicated to fellow nurses, to our patients, to our classmates, and to Miss Jean Watson who gave us inspiration in caring. * Caring: What is it? * Caring In Action * Jean Watson * Metaparadigm * Philosophy and Science * Analysis * Acceptance * Group H Acceptance Acceptance in the Nursing Community Margaret Jean Watson’s model or theory of caring can be considered as a foundation of our profession. It suggests the consideration of nursing as both a science and an art, and caring as a key factor in the human phenomena of nursing. Practice Jean Watson’s Philosophy and Science of Caring could be applied to the practice (a) as an organization or (b) as an individual. As an organization, Watson’s theory on caring could be utilized as a framework in the delivery of nursing service in a medical institution. When utilized as basis of nursing in a hospital, nurses are made to focus on the value of care and on the integration of the carative factors in patient encounters. “The Journey to Integrate Watson’s Caring Theory with Clinical Practice,” an article by Linda Ryan, presents the process of integration of Watson’s theory to the pattern of health care delivery in a clinical setting. On the other hand, it is also remarkable to take note that Watson’s...

Words: 1568 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Bibliography

...accident and emergency. It looks into nursing theory and research about three distinct experiences from the author. I found the article to be of interest in regards to the topic of barriers in forming the nurse-patient relationship in the emergency setting. Being an ER nurse I can relate to the authors thinking. It can be difficult to establish a relationship due to the limited time spent with the patient. Most relationships can be viewed as “superficial” or “if existing at all”. The nurse could also experience a short but memorable and intense relationship in the emergency setting. The author discusses three distinct relationships and examines them using nursing theory. Cara, C. (2003). A Pragmatic View of Jean Watson's Caring Theory. International Journal for Human Caring, 7(3), 51-61. The article discusses essential components of Watson’s caring theory and the use in the clinical setting, application, and show how to apply it to the practice setting. It gives a brief overview of the caring theory and gives background information about Jean Watson. The author goes over a clinical scenario and applies nursing theory. The author wants to help other nurses understand and apply nursing theory into their nursing practice. Foster, R.L. (2006, October). A Perspective on Watson's Theory of Human Caring. Nursing Science Quarterly, 19(4), 332-333. The author gives a brief look at Watson’s theory of human caring. She discusses some key...

Words: 531 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Jean Watson

...Watson's Theory of Caring Alice Bennett NUR 403 June 28th 2011 Vicki Grosdidier, MSN Watson's Theory of Caring In this paper I will describe Jean Watson’s background of her theory, and provide concepts of her theory. In addition, I will relate her theory to person, health, nursing, and environment of the caring moment and provide a transpersonal relationship and relate the factors within my experience. Background and concepts of Watson’s Theory Dr. Jean Watson was born in West Virginia and moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1962. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing and psychology while attending the University of Colorado. Jean continued her education and received her master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing. In addition, she earned her Ph.D. in education psychology and counseling. She taught at the University of Colorado School of Nursing and is the founder of the Center for Human Caring in Colorado. She has written many books discussing her philosophy and theory of human caring. Watson calls caring the ethical principle or standard by which curing interventions are measured (Alligood, 2006). Watson’s caring theory evolves in a global state no longer limited to facility settings. Watson’s theory is the development of a caring fluid experience expanding from the person to the community onward to society. The three major elements of Watson’s theory are the carative factors, the transpersonal caring...

Words: 2144 - Pages: 9