Analysis of Jean Watson's Transpersonal Caring Theory - Essay Example

An in-depth analysis of the Jean Watson’s theory suggests that it promotes the worldview of pragmatism rather than realism. This can be estimated from the fact that realists consider reality independent of human mind. To realists, reality is what happens in the world of physics. Realism is more about technicality and science than spirituality or sociology. On the other hand, pragmatism is more concerned with the sociological side of the picture. Pragmatism promotes the belief that humans can make a difference by manipulating things in the right manner.

To pragmatists, reality is what is experienced. Reality changes as experiences change. Thus, we can improve our experiences by applying theory into practice. Pragmatism essentially links theory to practice and this is indeed, the crux of Jean Watson’s theory. According to Watson, nursing is “a human science of persons and human health—illness experiences that are mediated by professional, personal, scientific, esthetic, and ethical human care transactions” Nurses can use Jean Watson’s theory as a guide to learn what kind of interpersonal skills are fundamental to the building up of their rapport with the patients.

In order to inculcate the theoretical principles into their practice, nurses need to identify the elements Watson has stressed upon. There are three primary elements of the Jean Watson’s theory, which include the carative factors, the occasion of caring, and the transpersonal caring relationship (Cara, n.d.). . To pragmatists, reality is what is experienced. Reality changes as experiences change. Thus, we can improve our experiences by applying theory into practice. Pragmatism essentially links theory to practice and this is indeed, the crux of Jean Watson’s theory.

According to Watson, nursing is “a human science of persons and human health—illness experiences that are mediated by professional, personal, scientific, esthetic, and ethical human care transactions” (Watson, 1988, p. 54). Thus, Jean Watson’s theory is based upon the worldview of pragmatism. How can nurses use Jean Watson’s Theory to further nursing knowledge in practice? Nurses can use Jean Watson’s theory as a guide to learn what kind of interpersonal skills are fundamental to the building up of their rapport with the patients.

In order to inculcate the theoretical principles into their practice, nurses need to identify the elements Watson has stressed upon. There are three primary elements of the Jean Watson’s theory, which include the carative factors, the occasion of caring, and the transpersonal caring relationship (Cara, n.d.). Watson has discussed carative factors in order to distinguish them from the conventional curative factors. Watson believes that the curative factors are meant to “honor the human dimensions of nursing’s work and the inner life world and subjective experiences of the people we serve” (Watson, 1997, p. 50). Nursing occasion is any occasion in which a nurse encounters a patient with a need of human caring.

The transpersonal caring relationship is a human care relationship which is influenced by a nurse’s commitment towards her job and her moral understanding of the nursing practice. In order to integrate the nursing knowledge into the nursing practice,