Running head: NURSING THEORY EVALUATION
Jean Watson: The Theory of Human Caring
Malgorzata T. Guzda
NUR 410 Professional Roles, Issues and Nursing Theories
5/25/2014
Introduction
Jean Watson was born in southern West Virginia and grew up during the 1940s and 1959’s surrounded by extended family and community oriented environment. She graduated in 1961 from the Lewis Gale School of Nursing in Roanoke, Virginia.
Throughout her career, Watson’s Theory of Caring continued to evolve. Much of her current work began with the 1976 publication of Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring, which began as class notes for a course she was developing.
Watson’s theory is classified as a middle-range theory which main focus is interconnectedness …show more content…
Nurses are constantly struggling with increased patients’ acuity, documentation that is becoming very detailed and time consuming, and increased demands from the management while trying to uphold professional and caring relationships with patients (Cara, 2003). What makes nursing a profession that is different from any other is the approach that allows nurses to preserve and practice the art of caring. Watson’s theory is essential in understanding that “…the traditional medical model can potentially reduce the human to body systems, or even further to individual cells or atoms, in order to cure a disease. The nursing model and medical model are complimentary to but different from one another and that both perspectives are valuable to the health of society (Ryan, …show more content…
Unfortunately, majority of patients admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) are chronically and irreversibly sick or dying, with multiple readmission and worsening of symptoms. Overtime, nurses come to know the patients as well as their families, they learn family dynamics, values, beliefs, and share the stories and past experiences with them. Through that knowing the relationship begins to form built on mutual understanding, trust, and compassion. Based on those foundations of caring relationship the nurse and the patient can establish goals and shape future care from symptom management, to advanced directives, treatment choices, and care at the time of death.
Historically, attempts at researching effectiveness of caring theory were found difficult and too abstract to study. Watson believed that there is a discord between methodology and multidimensional phenomena of nursing care and that research data is not amenable to research techniques (Tomey & Alligood, 2002).
The need for theory guided practice and greater transparency regarding quality outcomes has provided a background for nurses to measure the effectiveness of their professional practice environments.
Watson’s Theory of Caring was a template for developing The Watson Caritas Patient Score (WCPS). WCPS is now a reliable tool used to assess perspectives of caring practices throughout the
Jean Watson: The Theory of Human Caring
Malgorzata T. Guzda
NUR 410 Professional Roles, Issues and Nursing Theories
5/25/2014
Introduction
Jean Watson was born in southern West Virginia and grew up during the 1940s and 1959’s surrounded by extended family and community oriented environment. She graduated in 1961 from the Lewis Gale School of Nursing in Roanoke, Virginia.
Throughout her career, Watson’s Theory of Caring continued to evolve. Much of her current work began with the 1976 publication of Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring, which began as class notes for a course she was developing.
Watson’s theory is classified as a middle-range theory which main focus is interconnectedness …show more content…
Nurses are constantly struggling with increased patients’ acuity, documentation that is becoming very detailed and time consuming, and increased demands from the management while trying to uphold professional and caring relationships with patients (Cara, 2003). What makes nursing a profession that is different from any other is the approach that allows nurses to preserve and practice the art of caring. Watson’s theory is essential in understanding that “…the traditional medical model can potentially reduce the human to body systems, or even further to individual cells or atoms, in order to cure a disease. The nursing model and medical model are complimentary to but different from one another and that both perspectives are valuable to the health of society (Ryan, …show more content…
Unfortunately, majority of patients admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) are chronically and irreversibly sick or dying, with multiple readmission and worsening of symptoms. Overtime, nurses come to know the patients as well as their families, they learn family dynamics, values, beliefs, and share the stories and past experiences with them. Through that knowing the relationship begins to form built on mutual understanding, trust, and compassion. Based on those foundations of caring relationship the nurse and the patient can establish goals and shape future care from symptom management, to advanced directives, treatment choices, and care at the time of death.
Historically, attempts at researching effectiveness of caring theory were found difficult and too abstract to study. Watson believed that there is a discord between methodology and multidimensional phenomena of nursing care and that research data is not amenable to research techniques (Tomey & Alligood, 2002).
The need for theory guided practice and greater transparency regarding quality outcomes has provided a background for nurses to measure the effectiveness of their professional practice environments.
Watson’s Theory of Caring was a template for developing The Watson Caritas Patient Score (WCPS). WCPS is now a reliable tool used to assess perspectives of caring practices throughout the