Tammy L. Holman
University of Phoenix
Theories and Models of Nursing Practice
NUR 403
Caroline Etland
July 1, 2010
Watson's Theory of Human Caring
With many changes in our health care systems today I believe nurses and our patients are suffering as a result of all the financial restructuring. Despite the hardships of administrative numbers, hospital nurses continue to provide care, practice the core of nursing, and maintain the caring model. To assist us in providing quality care we have theorists like Jean Watson that will take us back to our roots of the ideal nurse and stellar patient care. In this paper I will describe Jean Watson’s background of her theory, and provide concepts of her theory. In addition, I will relate her theory to person, health, nursing and environment of the caring moment and provide a transpersonal relationship and relate the factors within my experience. Background and concepts of Watson’s Theory Dr. Jean Watson was born in West Virginia and moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1962. She attended the University of Colorado and earned a bachelor of science in nursing and psychology. Jean continued and received her master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing. In addition, she earned her Ph.D. in education psychology and counseling. She taught at the University of Colorado School of Nursing and is the founder of the Center for Human Caring in Colorado. She has written many books discussing her philosophy and theory of human caring. The three major elements of Watson’s theory are the carative factors, the transpersonal caring relationship, and the caring occasion/caring moment (Cara, 2003). The carative factors were developed in 1979, and last rewritten in 1988. They are the basic foundation and core of nursing today. 1. Humanistic-altruistic system of value. 2. Faith-Hope. 3. Sensitivity to self and others. 4.