THEORY OF HUMAN CARING Jean Watson Ph D

THEORY OF HUMAN CARING Jean Watson, Ph. D, RN, FAAN, HNC

Background to Jean Watson � Jean Watson is an American author, nurse theorist, and nursing professor � Influenced by her involvement with an academic nursing curriculum, she came up with theory of human caring in efforts to find a common meaning to nursing � Her doctoral studies in educational-clinical and social psychology lay a foundation for theory

Content of the Theory � Carative Factors i. Original carative factors ii. Evolving carative factors � Transparent � Caring Relationship Moment/ Caring occasion

Original Ten Carative Factors � Formation of selfless system of values � Introducing faith and hope � Being sensitive to oneself and others � Developing a human caring relationship � Accepting the expression of positive and negative feelings � Using a systematic problem-soling caring process � Promotion of conscious teaching-learning � Provision for an all-rounded healing environment � Gratification of human needs � Allowance for the existence of spiritual forces

From carative Factors To Clinical Caritas Processes Practicing acts of love, kindness and composure � Sustaining the belief system of the person being cared for � Being conscious of other people’s sensitivity � Developing trusting and helpful relationships with patients � Accepting the expression of feelings, whether positive or negative � Being creative during problem-solving � Focusing on the learning process as much as the teaching process � Creating a healing environment for physical and spiritual needs � Assisting with basic physical and emotional needs � Being open to the occurrence of miracles �

Transpersonal Caring Relationship � Transpersonal caring “seeks to connect with and embrace the spirit or soul of the other through the processes of caring and healing” � This relation is fuelled by the caring consciousness of the nurse � The nurse has the ability to focus on caring and healing rather than disease and pathology � It focuses on inner harmony

Assumptions of Transpersonal Caring Relationship � The moral commitment of the nurse enhances human dignity and healing � The nurse's presence contributes to transpersonal caring connection � The caring-healing process creates the potential for harmony and wholeness leading to a natural healing process. � The nurse’s personal experiences are invaluable to this relationship

Caring Moment/ Caring Occasion � According to Watson, a caring occasion is the moment when the nurse and the other party come together with all their uniqueness and form a connection that becomes the basis of human caring. � The process involves a personal choice and action by both parties (nurse and the other ) � If transpersonal, a connection is felt with each other hence transcending time and space

Role of Caring (Healing) Consciousness � The process fits in a single caring moment � The two parties are interconnected (the one caring and the one being cared for) � The process transcends space and time

Implications of the caring model � It is a philosophical and ethical foundation for professional nursing � It is better to interact with theory by personally experiencing it � Caring involves both art and science

Examples of how to enter a patient’s phenomenal field � Tell me about yourself? � What are your life experiences? � What are your spiritual beliefs? � What are your expectations?

Examples of Self-reflective Questions � What � In is the meaning of caring? what ways do you make a difference in other people’s lives and suffering? � What inspiration do you get from Watson’s theory in practice? � How do you express consciousness to anyone in your lie?

References Cara, C. (2003). A Pragmatic View of Jean Watson’s Caring Theory. International Journal for Human Caring, 5(3), 28 -36. Watson, J. (1996). “Watson’s theory of transpersonal caring”. In P. H. Walker & B. Neuman (Eds. ). Blueprint for use of nursing models: Education, research, practice, & administration (pp. 141 -184). New York, NY: NLN Press. Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. London: Routledge.