Watsons Theory of Caring - Term Paper Example

Watson’s Theory of Caring of the Nursing Name of the Concerned Professor October8, 2011 Watson’s Theory of Caring Introduction There is no denying the fact that the healthcare systems around the world are going through a process of restructuring. In that context there is a great risk that the nursing and caring services in these systems may get dehumanized. It goes without saying that the profession and discipline of nursing is primarily about human care. So, if nursing is essentially about caring than it is imperative that the nurses ought to make a conscious effort to inculcate the element of care in all the major aspects of their profession, be it the nursing education, the administrative or clinical aspects of nursing or the future research related to nursing (McGraw, 2002, p. 98). It is imperative for healthcare systems to retain human caring as the core of their existence. To further the aspect of human caring, Watson propounded the theory of human care. Watson realized that the expansion of health facilities around the world has manifolded augmented the work load of nurses. In that context the nurses are required to deal with healthcare situations that are more complex and variegated. So nurses are required to retain caring as the essential aspect of their practice and Jean Watson’s theory of caring is peculiarly associated with this aspect of nursing. Jean Watson’s theory of caring connects the nursing profession to the very roots of its profession and actually lays down the framework for defining an ideal nurse (McGraw, 2002, p. 97). Dr. Jean Watson is a renowned American scholar in nursing. Dr. Watson got her undergraduate degree in nursing and psychology from University of Colorado. She further earned a Masters in psychiatric-mental health and a Ph.D. in educational psychology and counseling. Watson accrued several national and international awards and honors and propounded the Theory of Caring. Watson’s Theory of caring is based on some salient assumptions (Watson, 1979). It is only in an interpersonal perspective that nursing care can be extended, administered and managed. Caring has to do with some essential carative factors that satisfy some basic human needs. Effective caring not only allows for a salubrious recuperation but also promotes individual and family health. Caring is not only about accepting the people as they are in a present context, but also accepting what they could become in a futuristic context. Good caring allows the individuals a full scope for the development of their innate potential, and also allows and helps people make the choices that are in their best interest, at a particular point of time. The caring aspect of nursing complements the overall process of curing. Above all, the discipline and concept of caring should constitute the core of nursing profession. Based on these assumptions, Dr. Watson extended and recognized ten carative factors that go a long way in retaining and propagating the humanistic aspects of nursing. These ten carative factors given by Watson constitute the essential core of Watson’s Theory of Caring. The ten carative factors given by Watson are: Humanistic System of Values: Caring should be centered on a value system that is affiliated to the essential universal, humanistic values (Watson, 1999). Such humanistic values include within their scope the notions of empathy, kindness, self love and the love for humanity. Sustaining Faith and Hope: The development of the profession of nursing and healthcare is full of examples highlighting the importance of faith and hope. This factor lays emphasis on recognizing and appreciating the deep seated beliefs and values of an individual in the overall process of caring and curing (Watson, 1999). Sensitivity towards others: The essential aspect of being a human is the ability to feel. The best possible way towards accruing sensitivity towards oneself and others is to recognize one’s deep seated feelings. Feelings play a central role in the endeavor of being compassionate and sensitive towards other human beings (Watson, 1999). Helping-Trusting Relationships: This factor encourages the usage of interpersonal communication towards forging and cementing helping, trusting and caring relationships with others (Watson, 1999). The endeavor of forging helping, trusting and caring relationship with others includes within its ambit the ability to make and develop connections with others and the ability to hold high regard for others. Promotion and Acceptance of Feelings and Emotions: As feelings tend to be an essential element behind most of the human behavior, experiences and thoughts, they should be particularly recognized in any valid and wholesome caring process (Watson, 1999). For the nurses involved with the human caring process, it is imperative to recognize and respond to feelings. Teaching and Learning: The overall teaching and learning processes in the nursing profession need to be based on a realistic assessment and appraisal of the patient’s feelings and perceptions (Watson, 1994). Most of the processes in the nursing teaching and learning tend to be technical in their scope, often ignoring the interpersonal aspects of the nurse-patient relationship. Spiritual, Social, Mental and Physical Environment: The nursing profession ought to take care to extend a supportive spiritual, social, mental and physical environment (Watson, 1994). This not only allows the nurses to extend quality care, but also aids the overall healing process. Human Needs: Human beings tend to have varied needs that are growth seeking, survival, integrative and functional in their scope and ambit (Watson, 1994). This includes varied lower needs like sleep, bodily functions, rest and varied higher needs like self expression, self actualization, personal growth and achievement. It is important to recognize and respect these needs. Existential and Spiritual Needs: This factor attributes to the unknown human needs that cannot be accessed and measured by resorting to the Western standards of nursing care and medicine (Watson, 1994). This pertains to the philosophical, mythical and existential aspects of human needs that cannot be understood by resorting to conventional rational thought and mindset. A Systematic usage of scientific and Creative Caring Processes: It involves resorting to the usage of the presence of self and the multiple ways of being and doing in the overall caring process (Watson, 1988, p. 177). It elevates the entire process of caring and curing to the level of an art form. Watson’s Theory in the Context of a Caring Moment As per Watson’s Theory of caring, a caring moment is an occasion created in time and space when a nurse and a patient under the care of that nurse come across each other in such a way that it gives way to an occasion for human caring (McKenna, 1997, p. 45). Both of these persons endowed with a unique phenomenal field evince an occasion to come together in a human to human interaction. As per Watson, the concept of phenomenal field attributes to the totality of a person’s experience which includes concepts and notions as feelings, perceptions, means of perception, bodily sensations, emotional and physical environment, thoughts, expectations, spiritual beliefs, targets, goals, aspirations, etc (McKenna, 1997, p. 45). All these human concepts and notions do tend to have a relationship with a person’s past, how one considers oneself to be at present, and the expectations and goals dedicated to the future. As per Watson, a caregiver or a nurse caring for a patient also needs to be in touch with one’s own presence and consciousness while engaging in a caring moment with a person. The choices made and decisions taken by a nurse in a caring moment contribute to the life experiences of both the caregiver and the patient. Clinical Application The objective of this section is to extend an illustrative explanation of Watson’s theory of caring by narrating a story related to an actual and real life caring moment. In an academic sense, this narrative tends to deviate from a traditional format because as it is dedicated to an analysis and is also reflective in its scope and intent. I distinctly remember that on September 20, I was assigned the care of Mrs. Krishna Bhagvat, a 65 year old Asian women suffering from acute tuberculosis. The condition of Mrs. Krishna was serious and she was evincing a slow recovery since the last two months. The doctors were worried about the slow healing of Mrs. Krishna and feared that her condition may further aggravate, unless not supported by appropriate care and medicines. During the course of my daily interactions with Mrs. Krishna, I developed a liking for her and somehow felt that a bond or deep feeling existed between Mrs. Krishna and me. One day Mrs. Krishna shared with me the information and details about her family and important life experiences (classified by Watson as phenomenal field). This impacted my perceptions about Mrs. Krishna in the sense that after hearing about her life and experiences I started seeing her as a distinct individual and not just as another patient. I welcomed Mrs. Krishna with a warm demeanor as she was shifted to my unit. Mrs. Krishna responded to my gesture by returning a shy smile. This certainly gave way to a caring moment. I had been told that while staying at home, Mrs. Krishna had not being complying well with her medicine, which contributed to the deterioration of her health. So I approached Mrs. Krishna and suggested the varied ways she could always remember to take her medicine.1. As per Watson’s Theory, I resorted to my creativity, which helped make my nursing profession an art. It turned out that Mrs. Krishna was a very devout Hindu and she worshipped many times during the day. So, I suggested to her that she could schedule the taking of her medicine during the times she opted to pray, thereby using her praying experience to strike compliance with the intake of her medicine. 2. Here again, as per Watson’s Theory, my creativity enabled me to recognize and respect Mrs. Krishna’s faith and hope and use it to advance her healing. Overtime the bond between Mrs. Krishna and me strengthened and she started taking me more in a personal context, rather than considering me to be a mere nurse. 3. In consonance with Watson’s Theory of Caring, I definitely succeeded in establishing a helping and caring relationship with Mrs. Krishna. One day I observed that Mrs. Krishna was a bit depressed, perhaps because of her slow recovery and she was also badly missing her grandchildren. 4. So, taking into consonance, Watson’s Theory of Caring, I found it necessary to discuss Mrs. Krishna’s feelings with her and to recognize and respect them. I also took care to adjust Mrs. Krishna’s physical environment like lighting and ventilation as per her mental state and condition to help her get over her feelings of depression. 5. This again allowed me a chance to extend a healthy environment to my patient, as discussed by Watson in her theory. Mrs. Krishna also discussed with me how her social contacts do not care to spend time with her since she got ill. 6. This reminded me of Watson’s injunction to extend nursing care while taking into consideration the need for human dignity and respect and to take into consideration the spiritual side of a patient’s personality. While resorting to Watson’s carative factors, I took care of Mrs. Krishna in as humane and respectful manner. She also recognized and reciprocated to my efforts. One day doctors diagnosed that Mrs. Krishna required an advanced pulmonary surgical procedure and she was shifted to a different healthcare facility. During her stay in my unit, Mrs. Krishna was thoroughly satisfied with the care I extended to her. Reflection Besides, in the case of Mrs. Krishna, I affiliated to Watson’s Theory of Care while extending nursing care to many other patients also. Over a period of time I realized that resorting to Watson’ carative factors transformed my overall attitude towards nursing. I started to believe in a more wholesome and humane approach towards nursing rather than merely focusing on the technical aspects of my profession. This managed and allowed me to adjust and customize my nursing services in consonance with the physical, psychological, emotional and personal needs of the patients. This mindset on my part was also supported by the overwhelming patient response. They started to find my care to be intensely personalized and satisfactory. This resulted in productive and sincere interpersonal relations with the patients. Still, I feel that there is much that I can learn. I can resort to much creativity and ingenuity while extending care, rather than being strictly regimented by mere technicalities. So I make a concerted effort to inculcate Watson’s carative factors in the care I extend to my patients. Watson propounded an approach towards nursing care that highlighted the relevance of the attributes and abilities that the nurses already possess by virtue of their being human. Watson’s approach is the most economic way to improve the quality and scope of nursing care. References McGraw, MJ. (2002). Nursing Theory: Utilization and Applications. Toronto: Mosby. McKenna, Hugh. (1997). Nursing Theories and Models. London: Routledge. Watson, J. (1979). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. Boston: Little Brown. Watson, J. (1988). New Dimensions of Human Caring Theory. Nursing Science Quarterly, 1(4), 175-181. Watson, J. (1994). Applying the Art and Science of Human Caring. New York: National League for Nursing. Watson, J. (1999). Postmodern Nursing and Beyond. Toronto: Churchill Livingstone. Read More