The theorist’s background and perspectives will be explained and lastly the theory will be discussed as to how it can serve as an underpinning and improve nursing practice. Concepts for the Grand Theory When comparing a grand theory to a middle range theory, a grand theory is much more abstract that uses a wide scope to explain and define broad issues. A middle range theory is more specific, focused and concrete (Eldridge, 2014). Watsons’s theory of human caring is a good example of a grand theory. Watson’s theory takes on a holistic approach to providing care for the patients all around wellbeing.
Dr. Watson believes that caring is central to nursing and can be effective if practiced interpersonally. In her caring theory, Dr. Watson introduced ten carative factors that are essential to successful nursing care (Alligood, 2010). This paper will discuss the key concepts of Watson’s theory and it will describe how it applies to the nurse and patient relationship. The caring moment will be defined and the application of four carative factors will be described. According to Alligood (2010), “the formation of a humanistic-altruistic system of values, the instillation of faith-hope, the cultivation of sensitivity to one’s self and to others, and the development of a helping-trusting relationship” (p. 113) are the four carative factors.
Further on, the plan to implement the theory in critical care nursing was presented. This paper concluded with the discussion about the theory of comfort as an integral factor of excellent nursing practice today. Comfort Theory Applied in Critical Care Nursing “Comfort has been considered a positive, multidimensional, subjective, dynamic experience…and results from the interactions established by the subject with himself, to those surrounding him and to the situations faced in the process of disease and health care” (Freitas, et al, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to share my understanding of the concept of Comfort Theory designed by Dr. Katharine Kolcaba, with its implication and application to critical care nursing. The Comfort Theory was chosen to be analyzed, with goals of seeking relevant information and guidelines on how to successfully implement the theory to improve the comfort level among critically ill patients while performing daily routine care in ICU.
Several nursing theories focus on quality of life in or as part of their nursing theories – Roger’s, King, Peplau, Leininger, and Parse (Plummer & Molzahn, 2009). Margaret Newman, Rosemarie Parse, and Jean Watson’s theories all deal with the concept of transcendence. Rogers’, Newman, Watson, and Parse’s theories share common themes and perspectives related to their philosophical views in the development of their theories (Sarter, 1988). Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and Boykin & Schoenhofer’s Theory of Nursing as Caring both view nursing as a discipline and a profession. Both theories view caring as an experience lived moment to moment.
One theorist who followed in her footsteps and adopted her philosophy regarding nurse caring behaviors is Jean Watson. Watson developed her Human Science and Human Care Theory in the late 1970s, which she developed in an attempt to prove that nurses have a common goal in treating the patient from a scientific and philosophical perspective. Caring for the person is an integral part of Watson’s theory. Watson believes that people learn to be human from one another and by learning from what other people have discovered about themselves (Watson, 1985). In her theory, Watson describe human beings as “a valued person and of him
Watson also characterizes nursing as a healing art and science dedicate to the pursuit of harmonious and sacred relationships (George, 2011). Her theory of human caring was first published in 1979 from the vision of theorist Florence Nightingale. “Watson stated that the original intent of her work was to serve as worldwide or ethic by which nursing could explore and understand its tradition and purpose in caring and healing” (George, 2011, p. 455). As a contributing theorist of the developmental model, her human caring theory approach came from Carl Roger’s phenomenological psychology and physiology. She was also influence by several philosophers such as Whitehead, Kirkegaard, and deChardin from a philosophical aspect.
Chochinov, 2007 (cited in Cornwell & Goodrich, 2009), states simply that compassion is ‘a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.’ Pediatric patients and their families are highly sensitive to the compassionate nature of health care professionals and a successful therapeutic relationship with them depends on the sensitive, compassionate care offered by the nurse. This paper will discuss why communication, family centred care and compassion are necessary and important qualities for a nurse to possess when working with pediatric patients and specify some of the challenges a nurse may meet in providing these. Communicating with Babies and Children Nursing children and babies requires a highly skilled and sensitive approach to communication. The developmental age of the pediatric patient needs to be considered when determining the best ways to
She was not only my teacher but took me in as a foster child for three years when my mother was having a difficult time in life. I have always been grateful for being in a foster home, for this special lady not only taught me how to love myself and others but she taught me how to love God and trust him. When I became a nurse I always knew that I needed to share this knowledge base that my foster mom taught me with others. I needed to teach others to love themselves and to trust in the Lord as I used my hands to provide them with great nursing care. Luke 6:40 “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” This scripture is a leading force in my goal to become a teacher of nursing students.
You can also select staff on a basis of caring orientation asking candidates to describe a caring moment that they have experienced. The development and caring competencies serve as a guide to assess and permit staff development and assuring care has had a breakthrough with caring science. Preserving and sustaining human dignity, wholeness, integrity of mind body and spirit will provide a healing environment that will enable self-care, self-knowledge, and self-control, self-healing and potential. She's a global teacher that displays nursing goals assuring the practice of human caring in return for the ethical core values based practices (McGraw, 2002). These practices will extend caring science and knowledge along with development and clinical care persons and caring practice to new professional practice models of authentic caring healing excellence.
Reality orientation is one of the most widely used management strategies for dealing with people with dementia (Holden and Woods, 1995). It aims to help people with memory loss and disorientation by reminding them of facts about themselves and their environment. As I said earlier Trudy would have lucid periods where she knew she was in hospital. At these times I could say “Trudy you are staying in hospital for the moment Paddy is not well enough to take care of you at the moment”. Trudy would accept this and understand that I was a nurse and I was there to help.