Uop Watsons Theory of Caring
Watson 's Theory of Caring
Crystal
University of Phoenix
Theories and Models of Nursing Practice
NUR 403
Watson 's Theory of Caring
Jean Watson’s caring philosophy and science in nursing is traced back to its earliest beginning as a textbook for the nursing courses at the University of Colorado (Alligood, 2010). Her initial work at the university laid the foundation for Watson’s theory of caring. Watson’s philosophy “defines the outcome of nursing activity in regard to humanistic aspects of life” (Potter & Perry, 2001, p. 97). Her model is designed around the caring process. She defines caring as “the ethical and moral ideal of nursing that has interpersonal and humanistic qualities” (Alligood, 2010, p. 111). According to Watson, as stated in Potter and Perry (2001), caring represents all the factors a nurse uses in his or her deliverance of health care. The caring process requires that the nurse be knowledgeable in human behavior and responses to actual or potential health problems, an individual’s needs, how to respond to others, and the strengths and limitations of the patient and his or her family as well as the strengths and limitations of the nurse (Potter & Perry, 2001). The nurse also comforts and offers empathy to the patients and his or her family (Potter & Perry, 2001). Watson’s theory is a “complex concept involving the development of a range of knowledge, skills, and expertise encompassing holism, empathy, communication, clinical competence, technical proficiency, and interpersonal skills” (Alligood, 2010, p. 111-112).
Watson’s theory of caring has four major concepts, these are the concept of human being, concept of health, concept of nursing, and the concept of environment. As stated by Current Nursing (2010), Watson’s defines the human being as “a valued person in and of himself or herself to be cared for, respected, nurtured, understood and assisted; in general philosophical view of a person as a fully functional integrated
Crystal
University of Phoenix
Theories and Models of Nursing Practice
NUR 403
Watson 's Theory of Caring
Jean Watson’s caring philosophy and science in nursing is traced back to its earliest beginning as a textbook for the nursing courses at the University of Colorado (Alligood, 2010). Her initial work at the university laid the foundation for Watson’s theory of caring. Watson’s philosophy “defines the outcome of nursing activity in regard to humanistic aspects of life” (Potter & Perry, 2001, p. 97). Her model is designed around the caring process. She defines caring as “the ethical and moral ideal of nursing that has interpersonal and humanistic qualities” (Alligood, 2010, p. 111). According to Watson, as stated in Potter and Perry (2001), caring represents all the factors a nurse uses in his or her deliverance of health care. The caring process requires that the nurse be knowledgeable in human behavior and responses to actual or potential health problems, an individual’s needs, how to respond to others, and the strengths and limitations of the patient and his or her family as well as the strengths and limitations of the nurse (Potter & Perry, 2001). The nurse also comforts and offers empathy to the patients and his or her family (Potter & Perry, 2001). Watson’s theory is a “complex concept involving the development of a range of knowledge, skills, and expertise encompassing holism, empathy, communication, clinical competence, technical proficiency, and interpersonal skills” (Alligood, 2010, p. 111-112).
Watson’s theory of caring has four major concepts, these are the concept of human being, concept of health, concept of nursing, and the concept of environment. As stated by Current Nursing (2010), Watson’s defines the human being as “a valued person in and of himself or herself to be cared for, respected, nurtured, understood and assisted; in general philosophical view of a person as a fully functional integrated
References: Alligood, M.R. (2010). Nursing theory: Utilization & application (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Current Nursing. (2010). Watson’s theory and four major concepts. Retrieved on July 26, 2010 from http://www.currentnursing.com Potter, P. A. & Perry, A. G. (2001). Fundamentals of Nursing (5th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby University of Colorado Denver (UCD), 2008. Transpersonal caring and the caring moment defined. Retrieved on July 26, 2010 from http://www.ucdenver.edu.