JEAN WATSONS CARE THEORY: UTILIZATION & CASE STUDY - Research Paper Example

These shifts in the practice have been spurred on by the current nursing shortage problem, by the frustrations and burnout these nurses have to deal with on a daily basis, as well as the decrease in the caring elements of the personal and professional lives of Americans in general (Watson, 2009). Based on the above situation, this paper will now illustrate the application of one of the more popular nursing philosophies – Jean Watson’s Philosophy of Caring – in the context of the nursing process and accordingly based on a case scenario which shall be presented by this student.

This study will also aim to exemplify the patient and nurse benefits when applying the care theory. It shall also discuss the various implications of Watson’s Care theory in the general nursing practice. Joe Smith was diagnosed with recurrent colorectal cancer. He was informed by his physician that his condition was already terminal. As a surgical remedy, Joe opted to undergo a palliative surgical procedure in order remove the recto-sigmoid colon and in order to have a permanent colostomy.

He was able to recover from the surgery and his wound was kept clean and post-op manifested no signs of infection. He however complained of some pain from his wound. The physician prescribed Tylenol with codeine to relieve his pain and based on feedback from Joe, the pain reliever appeared to be effective in relieving his pain symptoms. A nurse stoma therapist worked with Mr. Smith, managing his physical and emotional symptoms, in relation to the presence of his stoma. Training in this regard consisted of identifying different factors.

This included the normal appearance of the stoma, signs and symptoms of complications, measuring the stoma, the choice, use, care, and application of the appropriate covering for the stoma, remedies to protect the skin adjacent to the stoma, dietary measures to control gas and odor, and the resumption of normal activities