Inservice education: Jean Watson's theory

Jean Watson's Theory of Caring promotes healing, preserves dignity, and respects "the wholeness and interconnectedness of humanity" (George, 2011). Watson based many of her concepts on Florence Nightingale's ideas and believed that caring and the human touch had an important role in the practice of nursing. Her theory seems to be the most commonly used by hospitals - and in fact many hospitals use Watson's CARITAS model. Watson believed that nursing should be differentiated from medical practice by aligning nursing with caring and a more holistic approach (George, 2011). Natural healing and a human science perspective were important to her theory. There is also a metaphysical component to Watson's theory involving postmodernism, spiritualism, the interconnected nature of the universe, and "multiple truths" (George, 2011). Watson’s theory indicates an early understanding and mixture of both Eastern and Western philosophical beliefs. Transcendental phenomenology was a strong early influence in Watson’s work (George, 2011).

The major conceptual components of Watson’s theory are transpersonal caring relationship, the 10 carative factors, and caring occasion/caring moment (George, 2011). Transpersonal caring is a key theme in Watson's theory. There are many criteria Watson lists as components of transpersonal caring. Some of these are:

· Moral commitment, intentionality, and consciousness needed to protect, enhance, promote, and potentiate human dignity

· Orientation of the nurse's intent, will, and consciousness toward affirming the significance of the human patient

· The nurse's ability to realize, accurately detect, and connect with the inner condition (spirit) of another

· The nurse's ability to assess and realize another's condition of being-in-the-world and to feel a union with the others

· The nurse's own life history and previous experiences (George, 2011)

Watson's model is one that many nurses can relate to. The idea that nursing is an art and a science, that nurses should take a caring and holistic approach, and that the environment and universe contribute to healing, are concepts most of us can identify with in our practice. Watson also believes that we must care for ourselves in order to care for others. She believes self-care involves the ability for forgiveness of self and others, gratitude for life, and the capacity to let go of our egos and accept our experiences as they happen (George, 2011).

References

George, J. B. (2011). Nursing Theories: The Base for Professional Nursing Practice (6th ed.). Pearson Publishing.