Importance of Theory
Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring
Marie Fisher
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR501: Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice
May 2015
Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring
“A theory, as a general term, is a notion or an idea that explains experience, interprets observation, describes relationships, and projects outcomes (Parker & Smith, 2010). When applied to nursing, theories help us “understand and create meaning from our experience, organize and articulate our knowing, and ask questions leading to new insights (Parker & Smith, 2010). Since Florence Nightingale’s “Notes on Nursing” in 1859, theorists have continued to study, research and expand nursing theories. This paper will discuss the importance of nursing theory and Jean Watson’s well known Theory of Human Caring. Examples of the application of Watson’s theory will also be discussed.
Nursing Theory The development of nursing theories has defined nursing practice. Prior to nursing theories, nursing was “largely subsumed under medicine” (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Nurses mostly followed physician orders and completed tasks. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), the “use of theory offers structure and organization to nursing knowledge and provides a systematic means of collecting data to describe, explain, and predict nursing practice.” Nursing theories provide guidance and define standards for nursing practice. Nursing theories have also led to the development of patient classification systems, quality assurance programs, and clinical information systems (McEwen & Wills, 2014). There are four levels of nursing theories. The most abstract are metatheories. These are theories about theory (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Grand theories are abstract and broad. They often incorporate the ideas of many other theories (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Middle range theories are more specific and have fewer concepts. The development and use of middle range theories has grown significantly over the last two decades (McEwen
Marie Fisher
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR501: Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice
May 2015
Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring
“A theory, as a general term, is a notion or an idea that explains experience, interprets observation, describes relationships, and projects outcomes (Parker & Smith, 2010). When applied to nursing, theories help us “understand and create meaning from our experience, organize and articulate our knowing, and ask questions leading to new insights (Parker & Smith, 2010). Since Florence Nightingale’s “Notes on Nursing” in 1859, theorists have continued to study, research and expand nursing theories. This paper will discuss the importance of nursing theory and Jean Watson’s well known Theory of Human Caring. Examples of the application of Watson’s theory will also be discussed.
Nursing Theory The development of nursing theories has defined nursing practice. Prior to nursing theories, nursing was “largely subsumed under medicine” (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Nurses mostly followed physician orders and completed tasks. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), the “use of theory offers structure and organization to nursing knowledge and provides a systematic means of collecting data to describe, explain, and predict nursing practice.” Nursing theories provide guidance and define standards for nursing practice. Nursing theories have also led to the development of patient classification systems, quality assurance programs, and clinical information systems (McEwen & Wills, 2014). There are four levels of nursing theories. The most abstract are metatheories. These are theories about theory (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Grand theories are abstract and broad. They often incorporate the ideas of many other theories (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Middle range theories are more specific and have fewer concepts. The development and use of middle range theories has grown significantly over the last two decades (McEwen