Strengths Of Watson’s Model

Watson’s model acts as a stimulus to examine what it means to care Her model seems to be ever evolving. Isn't this what the nursing profession should strive for? Her model supports the idea that nursing is more about “care“ than “cure.” Also, it provides philosophical ground for continual progress of nursing as a scholar discipline and a profession that involves human behavioral, psycho-social and physiological aspects. Caring can be pushed aside in the pursuit of accomplishment of the “curing” tasks. Her model forces to think about caring that very moment, a “time out“ if you will.

Her theory can bring a new facet or dimension to the individual nurses’ practice and can be a model of potential and goal attainment of institutions Her model, if followed, encourages the nurse to attain a new level of awareness or practice. It is something that must be practiced continually as it helps to achieve new levels of awareness of self and the person-patient. It motivates one to seek higher levels of transpersonal caring. Her theory could be mutually beneficial to the patient and the nurse as it is enriches the nurse’s life experience and promotes self-acceptance.

Self Identified Strengths “The strengths of my ‘theory’ are that it gives language and voice and action directions for advancing nursing as a mature distinct discipline and profession in its own right; it offers a values-guided, philosophical-ethical-theoretical foundation for transforming nursing from the inside out; it offers a framework for caring-healing modalities and restoration of nursing arts and comfort measures that intersect with COM; it brings an explicit spiritual dimension which honors the unity of mindbodyspirit and the relationship/presence, intentionality, consciousness of the nurse and how the nurse is part of the Caritas Field affecting a given moment in time for self and other; further my latest work Caritas and Caritas processes bring explicit connection between caring and love and its foundation for healing/wholeness, preserving human dignity, humanity itself” (Watson, personal communication, October 15, 2009).

Final Analysis : Dr. Jean Watsons’ Theory of Human Caring

Caritas Caring Occasion Transpersonal Caring Relationship Nurse Patient Transpersonal Caring Relationship Dr. Watson believes that today’s healthcare has become increasingly technological. She sees most treatments as focusing on the use of medications and surgery as an answer to health care needs. Her theory is based on the belief that all things, including environmental, spiritual and bodily, must come together in order for healing to take place. This process begins with the Caritas-the basis or guidelines to develop a therapeutic relationship. As the Caritas lay the foundation for the relationship, the nurse and patient experience a caring occasion that lasts beyond the moment. Their spirits connect and ”creates new opportunities for the future for both the patient and the nurse” (Ray, 2009). This spiritual connection creates harmony; then the healing can take place. Transcendence Harmony Healing

nurse patient Healing Dr Watson’s theory is unique. There is no other theory that recognizes the benefits to the nurse during caring occasions or caring moments as well as to the patient. It emphasizes that nurse-patient relationships are reciprocal and could influence both of them.

The Soul The Spiritual Dimension of Human Existence Jean Watson is the first nursing theorist to support the idea of a soul and emphasize the spiritual dimension of human existence. The theory recognizes spirit-mind-body connectivity. This is the first nursing theory that see the route to healing as a three fold pass: spiritual life influences mental and emotional health, and affects physical well being.

Please listen to the following meditation by Dr. Jean Watson

REFERENCES Alligood, M. R., & Tomey, A. M. (2006). Nursing Theorist and their Work (6thed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby. Baughman, J., Bondi, V., Layman, R., McConnell, T., & Tompkins, V. (Ed.). (2001). Nursing in transition. American decades (Vol. 8). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from http://0-go.galgroup.com.libcat.ferris.edu/ps/start.do?p=GVRL&u=lom_ferrissu Baughman, J., Bondi, V., Layman, R., McConnell, T., & Tompkins, V. (Ed.). (2001). The 1970’s: Medicine and health: Overview. American decades (Vol. 8). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from http://0-go.galgroup.com.libcat.ferris.edu/ps/start.do?p=GVRL&u=lom_ferrissu Clarke, A., Hanson, E.J., Ross, H. (2003). Seeing the person behind the patient: Enhancing the care of older people using a biographical approach. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 12, 697-706. Erci, B., Sayan, A., Kilic, D., Sahin, O., & Gungormus, Z. (2003). The effectiveness of Watson’s caring model on the quality of life and blood pressure of patients with hypertension. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2, 130-139. Kearney-Nunnery, R. (2008). Advancing your career; Concepts of professional nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Davis.

Mullaney, J.A.B. (2000). The lived experience of using Watson’s actual caring occasion to treat depressed woman. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 2, 129-142. Persksy, G.J., Nelson, J.W., Watson,J., & Bent, K.(2008). Creating a profile of a nurse effective in caring. Nursing Administration Quarterly. 1,15-20. Sitzman, K., & Eichelberger, L.W. (2004). Understanding the work of nurse theorist. Sudsbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Swanson , K. (1999). What Is Known About Caring in Nursing Science: A Literature Meta-analysis.” In A.S. Hinshaw, S. Feetham, & J. Shaver (Eds.). Handbook of Clinical Nursing Research (pp.31-60). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Watson, J. (1979). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. Boston, MA: Little Brown. Watson, J. (1985). Nursing: Human Science and Human Care- Theory of Nursing. Boston, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Watson, J. (1996). Watson’s theory of transpersonal caring. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado. Watson, J. (2005). Caring Science as Sacred Science. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis.

Watson, J. (2006). Caring theory as an ethical guide to administrative and clinical practices. Nursing Administration Quarterly. 1, 48-55. Watson, J. (2007). Theory of Human Caring. Retrieved from http://hschealth.uchsc.edu/son/faculty/caring.htm Watson, J. (2007). Transpersonal caring and the caring moment defined. Retrieved from University of Colorado Denver College of Nursing website: http://www.nursing.ucdenver.edu/faculty/jw_evolution.htm Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. (2nd ed.) Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado. Watson, J. (2009). Caring: Theory evolution. Retrieved from University of Colorado Denver College of Nursing website: http://www.nursing.ucdenver.edu/faculty/jw_evolution.htm

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