Jean Watson's Theory of Caring Essay Example
Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring
Analaura Rodriguez
NUR 403
September 12, 2011
Kimberly Frommel
For years caring and nursing have been interconnected. Most people choose nursing because of their passion to care for others and that is why this has led to caring being a central part of nursing and has opened the doors to the development of several caring theories. One well known caring theory was developed in the 1970’s by an American nursing scholar and nursing theorist named Dr. Jean Watson. Her theory is called “The Theory of Human Caring”. Dr. Jean Watson was born in West Virginia, but currently resides in Boulder, Colorado since 1962. She attended the University of Colorado where she completed her undergraduate degree in nursing and psychology. Shortly after that, Dr. Watson continues her studies and earned a master’s degree in psychiatric –mental health nursing. Dr. Watson ultimately received her PHD degree in educational psychology and counseling. She is currently a Professor of Nursing and the Murchinson-Scoville Chair in Caring Sciences at the University of Colorado, School of Nursing and is the founder of the Center for Human Caring in Colorado (Cara, 1999). Dr. Watson has received many recognitions including national, international, and doctoral degrees. There are many books that she has published explaining her philosophy and theory of human caring. Jean Watson’s theory states that nurses should view the patient as both a physical and spiritual being. She continues to say that nurses should also focus on the physical and non-physical needs of the patient in order for them to render the best possible care. Dr. Watson also views caring as a science which encompasses a humanitarian, human science orientation, human caring processes, phenomena, and experiences (Vance, 2003). A caring science perspective is grounded in a relational ontology of being-in-relation and a world view of unity and connected ness of all (Vance, 2003).
Analaura Rodriguez
NUR 403
September 12, 2011
Kimberly Frommel
For years caring and nursing have been interconnected. Most people choose nursing because of their passion to care for others and that is why this has led to caring being a central part of nursing and has opened the doors to the development of several caring theories. One well known caring theory was developed in the 1970’s by an American nursing scholar and nursing theorist named Dr. Jean Watson. Her theory is called “The Theory of Human Caring”. Dr. Jean Watson was born in West Virginia, but currently resides in Boulder, Colorado since 1962. She attended the University of Colorado where she completed her undergraduate degree in nursing and psychology. Shortly after that, Dr. Watson continues her studies and earned a master’s degree in psychiatric –mental health nursing. Dr. Watson ultimately received her PHD degree in educational psychology and counseling. She is currently a Professor of Nursing and the Murchinson-Scoville Chair in Caring Sciences at the University of Colorado, School of Nursing and is the founder of the Center for Human Caring in Colorado (Cara, 1999). Dr. Watson has received many recognitions including national, international, and doctoral degrees. There are many books that she has published explaining her philosophy and theory of human caring. Jean Watson’s theory states that nurses should view the patient as both a physical and spiritual being. She continues to say that nurses should also focus on the physical and non-physical needs of the patient in order for them to render the best possible care. Dr. Watson also views caring as a science which encompasses a humanitarian, human science orientation, human caring processes, phenomena, and experiences (Vance, 2003). A caring science perspective is grounded in a relational ontology of being-in-relation and a world view of unity and connected ness of all (Vance, 2003).