Watsons Theory Of Human Caring - Essay Example

? Watson’s theory of human caring Watson’s theory of human caring entails assisting the patient with human needs, establishing hope and interpersonal relations. The theory cultivates sensitivity for others and promotes a supportive environment that aids in the physical, social and spiritual development of the patient. In addition, it allows for phenomenological forces and open expression of both positive and negative feelings. This paper will discuss the application of Watson’s theory of human caring to nursing scenario. Watson’s theory of human caring Introduction The nursing scenario involves Mr. Peter, aged 65 years who is admitted in a hospital with severe depression. His wife died 6 months ago, aged at 55 years and his children are living miles away. Mr. Peter was diagnosed with prostate cancer few years ago and has a leg injury that he sustained after he was involved in a car accident during his teenage years. He is not used to quad cane that his children brought for him. Although prostate cancer has been managed for some time, his eating habits have gradually changed and his children have noticed signs of behavioral changes such as lack of sleep, poor eating habits, locking all bedrooms and cabinets in the house. In addition, Mr. Peter is ever complaining about his finances. I the above nursing scenario, Watson’s theory of human caring is useful in enhancing the patient nursing care (George, 2002). The theory assumes that caring is only practiced interpersonally and human caring entails certain curative factors that ultimately lead to human needs’ satisfaction (Daniels, 2004). Accordingly, caring practice is central to nursing practice since it promotes the health and individual growth (Watson, 1999). The theory is based on ten carative factors that include the formation of humanistic-altruistic value system, installation of faith and hope, and promotion of interpersonal teaching (Daniels, 2004). Accordingly, it entails cultivation of sensitivity to others and development of trust relationships with patients. In addition, the carative factors entails acceptance of both positive and negative feelings, assistance with the gratification of human needs, and use of scientific methods in decision making (George, 2002). Accordingly, the theory entails allowance for existential-phenomenological factors and providing a supportive and protective environment that enhances the physical, social and spiritual development of the nursing patient (George, 2002). The theory can be used in nursing care since it entails enabling hope and faith and being sensitive to others through cultivating patient’s own individual practices (Daniels, 2004). Accordingly, the nurse and patient development loving, trustful and caring relationships that enable the patient to express both negative and positive feelings freely (Watson, 1999). Watson’s theory entails formation of the humanistic-altruistic value system that entails kindness and caring consciousness (Daniels, 2004). In this regard, the nurse reviews the values development between the interaction of the patient and the parents, the values developed through life experiences and values that promote altruistic behaviors towards others. Accordingly, faith-hope is critical in curative and carative processes since the nurse promotes a sense of well-being through highlighting beliefs that are meaningful to the patient (Wills and McEwen, 2002). The third carative factor entails cultivation of sensitivity towards others thus the nurse develops own feelings towards others especially feelings that encourage self-growth and actualization of the patients (Watson, 1999). In this regard, the nurse will promote higher well-being if only he or she establishes person-to-person relationship with the client (Daniels, 2004). The theory also entails the establishment of helpful and trust relationships through constant rapport and efficient communication with the patient. In this regard, empathy and non-verbal communication must be entail empathetic understanding (Watson, 1999). The nurse is required to enable the patient to express both negative and positive feelings during the caring process. Some feelings alter the thoughts and awareness of individual feelings facilitates the alteration of patient’s behavior (George, 2002). Accordingly, the process entails the scientific problem solving that permits self-control and a system of interpersonal teaching and learning (Wills and McEwen, 2002). Interpersonal teaching focuses on teaching process and individual perception of the nursing situation that enables the nurse to prepare an effective cognitive plan for the care process (Granados, 2009). Another essential principle of the theory is provision of a supportive and protective environment that supports mental, cultural and spiritual development of the patient (Daniels, 2004). In this regard, the nurse must identify the internal and external variables that affect the patient’s wellbeing such as the privacy and safety issues (Watson, 1999). In this regard, the surrounding environment must protect the patient’s mental and physical health and well-being. Another basic principle of the theory is the assistance with the gratification of the human needs that are outlined in the Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs (Wills and McEwen, 2002). All needs are important and should be addressed starting with the lower order needs that include food and ventilation (Granados, 2009). Other needs include the need for activity, and higher order needs that include the need for affiliation, interpersonal need, and need for self-actualization (George, 2002). Finally, the theory entails existential-phenomenological forces whereby the nurse understands the patient from the patient’s perspective and thus aiding in understanding the incongruity and helping in the hierarchical ordering of the needs (Daniels, 2004). The theory is applicable in the above nurse caring scenario. First, the nurse must do an assessment of the patient’s caring needs through making observations and use of conceptual knowledge of nursing (Granados, 2009). According to the scenario, the patient suffers from deficiency in mobility, risk of safety, depression, poor eating habits and behavioral changes. According to nurse diagnosis, the patient is at risk of social isolation, high depression due to demise of his wife and poor nutrition due to change of eating habits and sleep patterns (Daniels, 2004). The caring outcomes must aim at enhancing the physical, social and psychological well-being of the patient. Some of the nurse caring intervention measures includes the assistance with the use of quad cane so that Mr. Peter can walk independently without discomfort (Granados, 2009). Accordingly, another intervention will include educating the relatives about the importance of balanced diet in order to enhance the appetite of the patient. In addition, the nurse must encourage the relatives to show solidarity and spent time with Mr. Peter in order to relieve the feelings of social isolation. The nurse must also encourage the patient to visit a psychiatrist and undertake psychological therapies in order to minimize depression (Granados, 2009). In the evaluation stage, the nurse will focus on medical data that is related to the different aspects of functional deficit. In addition, the care will promote the respect and dignity of Mr. Peter through ensuring the spiritual and self-growth. The nurse will observe the changes in behaviors, the eating patterns and quality of interpersonal relationships between Mr. Peter and his relatives (Daniels, 2004). I believe the theory is useful in other nursing situations. The theory entails respecting and nurturing human beings through promoting their physical, social and mental functioning (Wills and McEwen, 2002). The theory entails a culture of caring that is transmitted through values and has a holistic approach to the treatment of diseases (Daniels, 2004). Accordingly, the scientific problem decision making is a concept of nursing that entails a research process of understanding the underlying cause of the disease. I believe that the theory is based on numerous carative factors that are contained in nursing education and thus useful in nursing caring especially when dealing with patients suffering from hypertension (Wills and McEwen, 2002). Conclusion The theory focuses on the clinical caritas processes and transpersonal relationships. It focuses on the body, mind and soul of the patient thus assisting the patient to gain self-control and knowledge that promotes health changes. Watson’s theory of human caring is useful in a variety of nursing situations that aim at enhancing the physical, social and spiritual development of the patient. The theory is based o n numerous principles that are based on nursing practice education. The nurse must identify the patient’s care needs and develop a response plan that aims at attaining human needs and strengthening interpersonal relationships. References: Daniels, R. (2004). Nursing fundamentals: caring and clinical decision making. New York: Delmar Learning. George, J. B. (2002). Nursing theories: the base for professional nursing practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New .Jersey: Prentice Hall. Granados G. G. (2009). “The nurse-patient relationship as a caring relationship”. Nursing Science Quarterly, 22(2), 126-127. doi:10.1177/0894318409332789. Watson, J. (1999). Nursing: human science and human care: a theory of nursing. New York: Jones and Bartlett. Wills M.E and McEwen M. (2002). Theoretical basis for nursing .Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams& wilkins. Read More