Jean Watson

Dr. Jean Watson was born in West Virginia, and has held a distinguished career. She obtained her Baccalaureate of Nursing, Masters of Science in Nursing in 1966, and an PhD in 1973 from the University of Colorado. She was a Distinguished Professor of Nursing and Chair in Caring Science at the University of Colorado, a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, and Dean of Nursing at the University Health Sciences Center and President of the National League for Nursing. Jean Watson held six honorary Doctoral Degrees, and earned doctorates in educational psychology and counseling. Her research was in the area of human caring and loss (Current, 2012). The Theory of Human Caring was developed in 1979. The theory emphasizes the humanistic aspects of nursing in combination with scientific knowledge. Watson designed this theory to bring meaning and focus to nursing as a distinct health profession. Watson believes that caring is an endorsement of a professional nurses identity. According to Watson, the nurse's role is to establish a caring relationship with patients. She recognizes the patient as a holistic being comprised of mind, body, and spirit. The nurse is to display unconditional acceptance and treat all patients with a positive regard. When the nurse does this, spending quality time with her patients, she creates carative moments (Fitne, 2012). Carative moments are created by a combination of a nurse's attitude and competence. The nurse has the power to affect her patient's environment, can may contribute to the well being and healing of the patient. If the nurse attends the patient as a person in a natural and caring way in that moment with touch or a moment of presence, can provide a profound impact on a patient outcome. Watson believes these special "carative" moments transform both the patient and nurse and link them in a special bond (Fitne, 2012). The theory consists of ten primary carative factors: 1. The formation of a