Inservice education: Jean Watson's theory

Nursing is a caring profession. The desire to help others, lifelong learning and growth is a universal desire of the nursing profession. "Nursing theories and models continue to be a positive influence on nursing practice." (Lukose, 2011, p. 27). Health care and our world today reveal constant change. Dr. Jean Watson's theory of human caring developed in 1979, continues to be relevant, and needed in the nursing profession and health care today.

Jean Watson views nursing as both Science and art. The science is the testing, technology, and procedures while the art is the caring that is delivered by the nurses. Watson’s caring theory is based on the idea that caring is the essence of nursing (Tourville, 2003).

The purpose and rationale for the theory of human caring embodies a philosophy and a nursing theory. (Parker & Smith, 2010, p. 359). "Caring science orientation is necessary for the survival of nursing as well as humanity at this crossroads in human evolution." (Parker & Smith, 2010, p. 353). There are 10 carative factors that are relevant to "clinical carative processes." (Parker & Smith, 2010, p. 354). Rational for this theory and nursing practice is the concept of "ongoing personal-professional development" that impacts both patient and nurse. (Parker & Smith, 2010, p. 357). The theory of human caring is utilized in the healthcare setting which includes nursing administrators, nursing educators, advanced practice nurses, bedside nurses and health care organizations to name a few. Dr. Watson states "nurses are torn between the human caring values and the 'calling' that attracted them to the profession, and the technologically, high paced, task-oriented biomedical practices and institutional demands, heavy patient load, and outdated industrial practices" (Watson, 2009, p. 467).

The theory of human caring can be 'read' as a grand theory as well "as middle range theory when read at the "carative factors/caritas process, which provides the structure and language of the theory as both middle range and specific." (Parker & Smith, 2010, p. 355). When used in the clinical setting there are "specific language systems" that are used as well as research projects, assessment tools within hospital and nursing practice (Parker & Smith, 2010, p. 356). Watson's theory of human caring is used as a model in some hospitals "seeking or sustaining magnet status" (Watson, 2006, p. 89). The simplicity of human caring seems evident "because it uses theories from other disciplines" that "are familiar to nurses" (McCance, McKenna & Boore, 1999, p. 1393). The theory of human caring and the 10 carative factors show accessibility with relevance and importance to nursing practice. The philosophy of human caring is important to our society and challenging to comprehend because of continuing evolving concepts.

Plan for the Application into Clinical Setting

The desire to meet the expectations of the patient and families in the perioperative clinical setting is a goal of the perioperative nurse, management and our health care organization. Staff meetings and communication in the hospital where I work, reflect continual encouragement to show genuine caring and concern for our patients. Patient satisfaction surveys reflect a lower score regarding listening to our patients in perioperative setting. Dr. Jean Watson's theory of human caring and the 10 carative factors would be very beneficial to this perioperative setting. "Watson describes the basis or core of nursing as "those aspects of nursing that actually potentiate therapeutic healing processes and relationships; they affect the one caring and the-one-being-cared-for." (Sitzman, 2002, p. 119). The plan for implementing this theory would start with education regarding the theory of human caring by Dr. Watson in the form of a PowerPoint presentation for staff. A questionnaire and survey would be implemented before the presentation to identify needs and knowledge of the staff regarding nurse-patient caring as well as self-care. A yearlong project related to caring would be reinforced by poster, communication and handouts on a monthly basis as well. The listening scores and patient satisfaction results would continue to be closely monitored and communicated to staff each month. Staff involvement in this project would be offered and encouraged. Challenges to this plan would be in arranging for everyone to attend this workshop. Many of the hospitals in the organization have magnate status. This would also be an advantage for our unit to exemplify this genuine need for concern and caring for nurses both professionally and on a personal level.

Conclusion

Nursing practice is centered on a caring attitude and interpersonal relationships. "The art of nursing has been defined as "the finest of the fine arts, incorporating the soul, the mind, and imagination of the practicing nurse." (Caruso, Cisar & Pipe, 2008, p. 126). The theory of human caring by Dr. Jean Watson is timeless in the profession of nursing and society.

References