The Theory and Practice of Nursing - Assignment Example

Nursing Theory Analysis Nursing Theory Analysis Introduction to Theory The practice of nursing is a diverse entity with several disciplines incorporated within its syllabus with the aim of making sure that nurses provide excellent healthcare services. Apart from the general guidelines that take a practicing nurse through his or her daily activities, various entities have developed different theories aimed towards ascertaining that nursing becomes a complete course. In handling this project therefore, I am going to provide further insight on the Jane Watson theory of human caring, which heavily relies on the healthcare provider developing a formidable relationship with the patients and their families, with his or her colleagues as well as with himself or herself. Before coming up with the Jane Watson theory of human caring, Dr. Jane Watson, who is also the founder of the Watson Caring Institute, received her bachelors, masters and Doctor of Philosophy qualifications. Apart from her professional and academic expertise, Dr. Jane Watson’s personal experience played a huge role in the development of the theory, which mainly focuses on human caring. Going through Dr. Jane Watson’s teachings, publications and writings, one will not fail to recognize the fact that human caring is diverse than had been perceived by other scholars as it incorporates the emotions of the healthcare provider as well as the inner subjective feelings. That explains why in most of her works, Dr. Watson strives to provide both voice and spiritual credibility to the practice of human caring. Dr. Watson asserts that her personal experience made her realize the extent to which the practice of human caring had been neglected in the models and practices of medicinal science. This follows a traumatic injury that she had, an uncanny golfing accident she went through with her grandson as well as the sudden demise of her devoted husband who committed suicide. The streak of unfortunate events made Dr. Jane Watson aware of the fact that both human caring and healing are the main principles of human nursing as a practice. Moreover, human caring should not only be left to nurses, but all healthcare professionals, health educators, health service workers as well as all the other entities involved in the caring journey should join hands in ascertaining that life is sustained. Apart from Dr. Jane Watson, who established the theory, different scholars have written various works on the hypothesis. Moreover, the scholars have reaffirmed that the practice of human caring should be founded on a professional, academic and personal inner journey of the healthcare provider. Similarly, the scholars assert that the wisdom of the individual, as well as passion, and the obligation to share with one’s self should enhance the practice (Quinn, 2002). As highlighted in the section above, the phenomenon of concern that the Jane Watson theory of human caring aims to solve is that in as much as various healthcare professionals have often given their best while caring for patients, it would be far-reaching for them to be supportive and protective. In like manner, they ought to focus on both the physical and mental state of the individual and the environment within which the person of interest is in. Theory Description The Jane Watson theory of human caring employs deductive perceptive, a form of reasoning that arrives at particular verdicts based on universal conventions. Given that the reached decisions routinely depend on premises, the argument is customarily considered valid whenever the premises are true. On the other hand, the argument is always regarded invalid when the premises are false. According to (Watson, 2008), the Jane Watson theory of human caring employs deductive reasoning majorly due to the several assumptions that the theory is founded on. The Jane Watson theory of human caring is based on several principles and concepts. Its core principles include the practice of loving, which integrates both kindness and level-headedness. Similarly, the theory is based on the principle that healthcare providers should exhibit authentic presence for each other, which involves having a deep belief in patients, their families as well as his or her colleagues (Watson, 2008). The aspect of cultivating spiritual practice that ensures wholeness of the body, mind and soul is similarly a core principle of the Jane Watson theory. Of more interest nevertheless, is the fact that the theory is open to miracles, hence takes into consideration both unexpected and inexplicable happenings in life. As mentioned in the above paragraph, the Jane Watson theory of human caring is founded on several concepts. According to (Watson, 2008), the first idea of the theory is a relational caring for self and others. The relational caring should be hinged on several factors including ethical, philosophical and the values of love. In like manner, the theory operates on the concept that there are several mechanisms that can be used in an attempt to establish the effectiveness of a caring procedure. These include the knowledge of science, art, and ethics as well as both spiritual and cultural matters. The Jane Watson theory of human caring functions based on the concept that caring is not a narrow practice, but should be inclusive and expansive thereby integrating caring for self, caring for each other, caring for patients and their families, as well as caring for the environment. Similarly, the theory operates on the concept of reflective and meditative approach. Implying that it is of great significance for the healthcare provider to increase humanism in the course of the practice, moreover, it would be far-reaching for the supplier to understand himself or herself, appreciate the patient and his or her family and to comprehend the healthcare needs of the patient. Another core concept of the Jane Watson theory of human caring is that the caring moments when the healthcare providers interact with the patients should be heart-centered. This implies that both entities should be genuine with one another and share personal experiences. In addition, it is far-reaching for the healthcare provider to work towards expanding the patient’s world of view, for that ensures that the patient opens his or her mind to several life possibilities. In like manner, the theory similarly functions on the concept of transpersonal relationship. According to (Cara, 2003), this implies that the health care provider should consider going above his or her ego, thereby being morally committed to the course they are going through. In an attempt to ensure that the caring moments bring about the desired inner harmony and maintains balance, the Jane Watson theory of human caring similarly incorporates the ten Watson carative factors, commonly referred to as the caritas process. The caritas process serves two major functions, which is to act as a guideline for human caring procedures, and to enhance the process of human caring as a whole (Cara, 2003). The first factor is the need for the healthcare providers to be loving and caring in the course of caring for the patients. Similarly, the caritas process encourages the healthcare providers to be realistically present in the course of the procedure and nurture both transpersonal and spiritual practices. The caritas process similarly demands that the relationships formed in the course of the practice should be genuine and sustainable, as that would assure the patient of complete healing. The need for the healthcare provider to be present and supportive of both the positive and negative feelings of the patient is also integrated among the ten factors. The same applies to the need of the provider to innovatively use self and to genuinely engage both the teaching and learning practices. The caritas process serves to reaffirm the need for creation of the healing environment as that assures both comfort and wholeness. Over and above, the process urges the providers to assist the patients with their basic needs and to exhibit openness while attending to the needs of the patient. From the above description of the Jane Watson theory of human caring, it is clear that the core concepts of the philosophy are operationally defined. According to (Watson, 2008), that is majorly because apart from the assumptions, the theory has clearly outlined how inclusive the practice of human caring should be carried out. Additionally, one will not fail to recognize the fact that the author is consistent in using the concepts and other terms of the theory for the model has majorly revolved around reflective approach, which focuses on the provider understanding himself or herself, his or her colleagues as well as the health needs of the patient. Moreover, the author has reaffirmed the necessity of the providers being trustworthy in the course of the practice and that both the professional and personal experience should be incorporated, as that makes sure that the patients and their families experience comfort and wholeness. Cara (2003) holds the opinion that the concepts of the Jane Watson theory of human caring have been explicitly defined, as apart from the core principles, the theory integrates the caritas process, which acts as guidelines that take all interested entities through the process of human caring. Evaluation Both explicit and implicit assumptions guide the Jane Watson theory of human caring. The first explicit assumption is that apart from being practiced interpersonally, healthcare providers can effectively demonstrate caring. Moreover, the theory assumes that the process of human caring should consist of the carative factors that come in handy in bringing about the satisfaction of various human needs. The theory explicitly assumes that in case the practice of caring is effectively carried out; the patient as well as his family will register overall improvement in health and growth. Another explicit assumption is that the caring environment should serve two main purposes, which is to provide the patient with the chance to choose the alternative that suits him or her best, and to develop the full potential of the patient. The theory similarly assumes that caring complements are curing and is central to the practice of nursing. According to Cara (2003), the hypothesis that caring responses should accept the patient for whoever he or she is and may become is by all standards implicit. The Jane Watson theory of human caring complements the four-metaparadigm concepts of nursing, which includes the person, his or her health status, environment and nursing as a practice. This is majorly because the main concern of the theory is to improve the health status of the patient and his or her family. Moreover, the theory takes into consideration the input of the environment, for it is supposed to bring the best out of the patient, thereby ensuring both wholeness and comfort. According to Watson (2008), the consistency and lucidity of the theory cannot be doubted given that its concepts and principles emphasize the need for an authentic presence, kindness, the act of loving as well as the need to make sure that equanimity exists. Over and above, there is no doubt the theory aims to restore dignity among patients, make the practice of nursing interesting and at the same time revolutionize the entire curing process. Application Cara (2003) asserts that the Jane Watson theory of human caring guides nurses, for it brings about both faith and hope and at the same time nurtures sensitivity to the needs of self and to those of others. Similarly, the theory establishes a relationship of trust, a tool that is of great significance in nursing as a practice. Over and above, the theory guarantees that nurses not only protect, but also support patients, an event that ascertains that the patient improves both mentally and physically. Personally, I hold the opinion that the Jane Watson theory of human caring efficiently supplements my area of specialty that is caring for adults, most of whom are well over sixty-five years. This is majorly because most of my patients live alone hence feel depressed and lonely. Moreover, it is disturbing to acknowledge that most of them suffered from traumas under different circumstances. By basing my practice on the Jane Watson theory of human caring, I take keen interest in various aspects of their lives a fact that makes nursing interesting from my perspective. Moreover, the development of dependable relationships through activities like hugs, not only ensures the well-being of the patient but builds my professional and personal experience as well. References Cara, C. (2003). A Pragmatic View of Jean Watson’s Caring Theory, www.humancaring.org. (Under “continuing education”) Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring (rev. ed.), Boulder: University Press of Colorado Quinn J. (2002) Holding sacred space: the nurse as healing environment. Holistic Nursing Practice April; 6 (4): 26-35. s Read More