Jean Watson Human Caring Theory Hector Bueno Nurs 403 October 29, 2012 Karen Benjamin RN, MSN Nursing has grown to become the main facilitator in the guidance of peoples’ health plans. Since the time of Florence Nightengale and her environmental theory, many different approaches have been brought upon our nursing environment in order to completely and truly understand the anatomy, physiology, and psychology aspect of the human body through theoretical concepts. Through years, theorists have written guidelines in which have allowed healthcare personnel to follow in order to fully meet a persons’ needs. Theorist have based their beliefs on facts that enables the human body to heal properly, enables for the continuance of an established health care plan, and on facts that lead to the deterioration of the human body and mind. From the understanding of how a person can adapt the human body and mind to a present scenario/situation to Watson’s Human Caring Theory, theories have been the back bone of all nursing education.
She evidently highlights six key actions that assist nurses to easily expand and attend to human care (Cheng, 2006). The ultimate aim of this context is to examine Jean Watson’s theory of caring and its implications for both patients and nurses. This paper begins by outlining the overview of the theory before looking at how she brought out the idea of caring moment and how it can apply to daily lives of people (Potter & Perry, 1999). In 1979 Watson’s established the theory of human caring also called theory of transpersonal caring or the caring model. The theory has undergone evolution for several years, but its root principal remains outstanding.
Watson’s caring philosophy is used to guide transformative models of caring and healing practices for nurses, different healthcare professionals, caregivers and patients worldwide. Watson believes that it is possible to read, study, learn, research, teach about the theory, but to truly understand one has to personally experience it. (Sitzman & Watson, 2014). According to Jean Watson health is defined as high level of physical, social and mental functioning. Watson indicates throughout her work that all human beings have inherent needs to participate in caring exchanges, both as giver and receiver and that nursing holds the essence of this fundamental need.
If nurses are applying Watson’s theory to their practice, the result should be a continual transformation in health care. Watson developed her theory in 1979 and revised it 1985 and 1988. Most of the revisions were done to her carative factors that she believes is the guide for the core of nursing (Cara, 2003, p. 52). Her theory is based on human caring relationships and the deep experiences of human life (Suliman, Welmann, Omer, & Thomas, 2009, p. 293). According to Suliman, Welmann, Omer, & Thomas, (2009), Watson’s theory suggests that, “Caring is a different way of being human, present, attentive, conscious, and intentional.
During her years of experience, Leininger began to recognize the need for a theory surrounding the concept of caring. She was motivated by her observations as a nurse, providing care to children who displayed recurrent behavior patterns related to their culture (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2011, p. 93). She is a major contributor to nursing practice, research, and academics. “In 1974, she founded the Transcultural Nursing Society and the Journal of Transcultural Nursing to support the research of the society” (University of Washington, 2013, para. 5).
Watson begins her theory by identifying 10 carative factors of care. Theory Concepts Watson bases her theory of nursing on 10 carative factors: 1. Formation of humanistic-altruistic systems of values: This begins in early development and is molded by life experiences, exposure, learning, and culture. 2. Development of faith and hope: The belief in spiritual being can assist in the healing process.
Watson’s Theory of Caring Kimberly Feehan Watson’s Theory of Caring Jean Watson’s first published her theory of caring in 1979 as a basic nursing text for baccalaureate students and it has continued to evolve over the years (Rafael, 2000). Watson’s theory addresses caring relationships among humans and life experiences and experience translates through multiple layers of awareness (Jesse, 2010). Caring is a different way of living, present, attentive, conscious, and intentional. Watson defines caring as the moral ideal of nursing that has interpersonal and humanistic qualities (Jesse, 2010). Caring is a complex concept involving knowledge, experience, and communication (Jesse, 2010).
Within each of the roles of scholarship are the nursing core values of caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence (NLN). The scholarship of knowing seeks to build on the current foundation of nursing knowledge through the identification and research of health issues. Empirical and historical research, theory development, and methodological studies, generate new knowledge that forms the basis for new nursing theories and evidence-based practice. The APN scholarship of teaching assimilates new and existing knowledge, and transfers this information from expert to novice, teacher to student, and healthcare provider to the patient. The APN may teach by role modeling, or mentoring of students and new nurses.
Bringing together education and healing was a life-changing experience that made me realize that nursing is my true calling. Traditionally, nurses were viewed as caregivers. In today’s world, image of nursing profession changes as nurses play many other roles such as patient’s advocates, educators, managers, team members, facilitators, and experts. (Zerwekh, 2006). As I read the entries from my reflective journal, I could see how my focus shifted from assisting patient with his basic needs at the beginning of the nursing school to more comprehensive nursing care today.
Historical Development of Nursing Timeline NUR/513 January 27, 2014 Historical Development of Nursing Timeline The history of nursing has change within the last two decade with the help from nursing theorist. Nursing theorists has paved the way on how care is given and the treatment that is given to each patient. The main focus from each theorist was focused and center on comforting, caring and nurturing the patient back to optimal health. Nursing today has changed dramatically due to the many theorists that have paved the way. Nursing has adopted their concepts to fit the changing of modern time.