...Watson's Theory of Human Caring The nursing profession has undergone a multitude of changes throughout its long and storied history; the profession has transformed from a job typically taken by women to care for sick members of their families into the science and art that it is today. Nursing practice and education has used numerous theories over the years some written by nurses, some by other professionals, and they differ in what the nature of nursing is or should be. In this paper I will demonstrate how one such theory is taking the art and science of nursing back to its roots of caring for people and not just treating diseases and disorders. By employing Dr. Watson’s human caring theory I will show why it is important to treat patients as people and not just a diagnosis or label. Dr. Jean Watson was born in West Virginia and earned her diploma in nursing at the Lewis-Gale School of Nursing, Roanoke, Virginia, and was later educated at the University of Colorado earning her bachelors of science of nursing in 1964, masters of science in psychiatric mental-health nursing in 1966, and PhD in Educational Psychology and Counseling in 1973. Dr. Watson is best known for developing her theory titled The Theory of Human Caring: Retrospective and Prospective that has been adopted my numerous colleges, universities, and hospitals throughout the world. Included in Dr. Watson’s theory are 10 carative factors essential to her theory of human caring. The factors include; an altruistic...
Words: 1956 - Pages: 8
...Watson's Theory of Human Caring Aubrey Thomas NUR/403 February, 18th 2013 Stephanie Merck Watson's Theory of Human Caring A few weeks ago I was assigned to provide care for Mrs Tevez an 82yrs old female of Spanish origin who spoke very little English. Mrs.Tevez had a cervical fracture that resulted from a fall at home. Her admission to hospital was for immobilization with a cervical collar and bed rest pending possible surgery. She was considered a high risk patient because of the possibility of serious complications from her cervical fracture. It is amazing how a caring moment can have such a remarkable effect on persons who are part of that moment. A caring moment is the human care transaction that takes place as a consequence of the human care process. This occasion is where a contact is established between the subjective world of the nurse and recipient of care. This shared moment has the potential to touch the higher spiritual self or soul, and thus transpersonal human caring may occur. Transpersonal caring relationships consist of connections that embrace the spirit or soul of the other through the processes of full, authentic, caring and healing attention in the moment (Watson, 1988). Transpersonal caring implies that the nurse consciously focuses on self and other within interpersonal exchanges that are grounded in the present moment, while at the same time going beyond the moment and opening to new possibilities. The nurse values the existence of the other's...
Words: 2340 - Pages: 10
...Jean Watson is professor and dean emerita at Anschutz Medical Center and University of Colorado Denver College of Nursing, where she held a Chair in Caring Science for 16 years. She is founder of the original Center for Human Caring in Colorado and is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Watson has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing and psychiatric-mental health nursing. She currently holds her PhD in educational psychology and counseling. She is a widely published author and recipient of many awards and honors, including The Fetzer Institute Norman Cousins Award, in recognition of her commitment to developing, maintaining and exemplifying relationship-centered care practices; an international Kellogg Fellowship in Australia, a Fulbright Research Award in Sweden. She holds ten honorary doctoral degrees, including seven international honorary doctorates (Sweden, United Kingdom, Spain, British Columbia, Quebec, Canada, and Japan.) Clinical nurses and academic programs throughout the world use her published works on the philosophy and theory of human caring and the art and science of caring in nursing. Dr. Watson's caring philosophy is used to guide transformative models of caring and healing practices for nurses and patients alike, in diverse settings worldwide. (http://watsoncaringscience.org) Dr. Watson's theory is caring science. Caring science includes human science orientation to human caring processes and experiences. A caring science...
Words: 328 - Pages: 2
...of Watson’s Caring Theory Name Institution Affiliation Application of Watson’s Caring Theory Human Caring Theory by Jean Watson contributes to the existential nursing. It concentrates on authentically caring concerning the whole patient. This caring involves the patient’s spirit, body and mind to facilitate the healing process to persist at an optimum level (Watson, 2011). Watson defined it as a caring model, which includes both science and art; providing a framework that intersects with and embraces science, art, spirituality, humanities, and new dimensions of spirit-body-mind medicine in addition to nursing. The essay describes the idea of Watson’s theory, the application of Human Caring theory in nursing practice connected to personal case, and the relevance of Human Caring theory in nursing leadership related to nursing problem. Watson supposes that the theory is ever changing and ought to be open to the evolving nursing practice as well as the human phenomena dynamics. Watson elaborates by explaining that caring art and science goes past an intellectualization of the subject luring us into endless, but timely space to re-examine the recurrent phenomenon of the human ailment. Using such abstract notions of faith, love, hope, caring, trust, and spirituality to nursing art and science could help stratify the human caring concept (Watson, 2011). The current nursing practice is incredibly affected by the theories designed by Dr. Watson. Various institutions...
Words: 2036 - Pages: 9
...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
...Running Head: WATSON AND PALEY: COMPARISON AND CONTRAST Watson and Paley: Comparison and Contrast Penelope K. Gates RNBC HCS350 Jean Watson received her nursing diploma from “Lewis-Gale School of Nursing” in Roanoke, VA, in 1961. She went on to complete her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Colorado. She obtained a “PhD” in educational psychology and counseling in 1973. Her primary work has been in the psychiatric field of nursing. Dr. Watson has taught many nursing courses through the years as well as did research and wrote numerous books and articles. Most of her work since 2000 has been on her theory and philosophy of caring. She has traveled and lectured across the world, studying and lecturing on her theories on nursing. In 1980, Watson and her associates started the “Center for Human Caring” at the University of Colorado (Alligood & Toomey, 2010, p. 92). Watson wrote her first book on the philosophy and science of nursing in 1979. She developed “10 carative factors”, which Watson describes as being the main ideas of nursing. The carative factors consider the persons involved in practice of caring. She believes in instilling faith and hope and being sensitive to self and others. Watson’s carative factors also are based on developing a trusting relationship with the person or patient. The creation of a healing environment that respects the wholeness and dignity of the person is a carative factor. Watson also looks at the human beings...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...Concept Comparison and Analysis across Theories Paper NUR 513 August 6, 2012 Comparison and Analysis Theories Paper The heart of nursing has always been caring. Since the start of professional nursing with Florence Nightingale, theorists have been writing about caring. This paper highlights three caring theories Madeleine Leininger, Jean Watson, and the combine theory of Patricia Benner and Judith Wrubel these theorists each has developed a theory of caring. This paper will examine each by comparing and contrasting on how each looks at caring. Leininger Madeline Leininger developed her first theories in the mid-1950s. Her main theory is transcultural nursing and caring theory. This theory was formed by an inadequate knowledge of cultural factors that represented a missing link to providing quality nursing care. Leininger believed that caring is universally present in all cultures (Nelson, 2006). Leininger’s definition of caring for nursing is “the central and unifying domain for the body of knowledge and practices in nursing’ It is critical to human growth, development and survival and has helped human beings through cultural evolution” (Cohen, 1991). Leininger’s transcultural theory of nursing her assumption human caring is a universal expression. However, patterns vary among different cultures. Caring has multiple dimensions of biophysical, psychological, cultural...
Words: 1722 - Pages: 7
...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
...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
...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
...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
...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...
Words: 3019 - Pages: 13
...Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring NRS/403 Theories and Models of Nursing Practice 27 November 2011 Candace Cane Abstract Due to the ever changing health care system nationally and the increase need for qualified nurses worldwide, nursing responsibilities and patient load have intensified. Nurses are expected to care for higher acuity patients in more complex health care situations. Despite increased hardships in the work place, nurses must continually try to find ways to preserve their caring approach. Jean Watson’s caring theory can be seen as indispensable to this goal. This paper will explain the background behind the theory and take a personal approach in showing how it can be applied to every day nursing care. Jean Watson Nursing theorist Jean Watson of West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado in 1964. She continued her nursing education at her alma mater and received a Masters of Nursing with a focus in psychiatric-mental health in 1966 and PhD of educational psychology and counseling in 1973. Dr. Watson holds the title of Distinguished Professor of Nursing; the highest honor accorded its faculty for scholarly work. In 1999 she assumed the Murchinson-Scoville Chair in Caring Science, the nation’s first endowed chair in Caring Science, based at the University of Colorado Denver & Health Sciences Center (Dr. Jean Watson, 2011). She has previously served as the Dean of Nursing at the University Health...
Words: 1711 - Pages: 7
...Watson's Theory of Human Caring Paper Allison M Wood, RN NUR/403 March 17, 2012 Shoni Davis, RN DNSc Watson's Theory of Human Caring Paper Dr. Jean Watson was born in West Virginia and has resided in Boulder, Colorado, since 1962. She earned her undergraduate degree in nursing and psychology, her master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing, and her Ph.D. in educational psychology and counseling from the University of Colorado. She is currently a Professor of Nursing and the Murchinson-Scoville Chair in Caring Science at the University of Colorado (Cara, 2003). Dr. Watson is the founder of the Center for Human Caring in Colorado and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. She has received a number of national and international honors, and honorary doctoral degrees. She has published various works relating her theory of human caring, which have been studied by nurses and nursing students over the world. According to Watson (2001), the chief essentials of her theory are (a) the carative factors, (b) the transpersonal caring relationship, and (c) the caring moment. Carative Factors Watson first developed the “carative factors” as taxonomy of interventions in 1979, which she views as a constitution of the foundation of nursing when all of the medical techniques and technologies are removed (Sourial, 1995). She further assembled these ideas into a nursing...
Words: 1762 - Pages: 8
...continually try to find ways to preserve their caring approach. Jean Watson’s caring theory can be seen as indispensable to this goal. This paper will explain the background behind the theory and take a personal approach in showing how it can be applied to every day nursing care. Jean Watson Nursing theorist Jean Watson of West Virginia, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado in 1964. She continued her nursing education at her alma mater and received a Masters of Nursing with a focus in psychiatric-mental health in 1966 and PhD of educational psychology and counseling in 1973. Dr. Watson holds the title of Distinguished Professor of Nursing; the highest honor accorded its faculty for scholarly work. In 1999 she assumed the Murchinson-Scoville Chair in Caring Science, the nation’s first endowed chair in Caring Science, based at the University of Colorado Denver & Health Sciences Center (Dr. Jean Watson, 2011). She has previously served as the Dean of Nursing at the University Health Sciences Center and has acted as the President of the National League for Nursing. Dr. Watson has authored numerous publications and books including “The Philosophy and Science of Caring”. In 2008 Dr. Watson created a non-profit foundation: Watson Caring Science Institute, to further the work of Caring Science in the world. Dr. Watson’s caring philosophy is used to guide transformative models of caring and healing practices for nurses and patients...
Words: 1709 - Pages: 7
