Theory Description
Watson wrote many books as her mid-range theory developed. Her first published work, Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring(1979), provided her students with a framework on how to care for patients. The carative factors and caritas model were based on Yalom’s eleven curative factors. Medicine is curative, so distinguishing nursing as a profession based on caring principles helps to delineate nursing from medicine as a separate science (Alligood, 2014, p. 86). Watson defines her theory as descriptive, therefore, it is hard to measure outcomes using established scientific methods, but through qualitative research approaches, positive outcomes can be assessed (Watson, 2012). Nelson and Watson (2011), conducted measurement …show more content…
85). The caring tradition is explicit and implicit based on seven major assumptions. The first two assumptions are founded on the implication that caring must be an interpersonal behavior, that can be guided by the carative factors that can result in the satisfaction of human needs (Nursing Theories, 2012). The following two assumptions emphasize that if a nurse is successful in caring interaction, the potential for health and growth within the patient can commence (Nursing Theories, 2012). Finally, the last three assumptions explain that if a nurse can provide a caring environment, based on the patient’s preferences, health promotion and individually will be maintained. Caring is considered “healthogenic” rather than curing meaning the science of caring and medicine work hand-in-hand, but caring is a nursing component (Nursing Theories, …show more content…
Many theories have been developed to explain the phenomenon of nursing and the care the profession provides. Watson’s Theory of Human Caring does not direct or explain how nurses should act, or speak, it simply imposes awareness of human consciousness through carative factors and ideas that can be embodied differently by all individuals (Alligood, 2014, p. 88). The concept is broad and those looking for stringent rules may not be able to grasp and mold the Caritas Processes into caring science. For example, nurses in areas of practice, such as in acute care settings have implemented Watson’s theory and have been able to successfully communicate and create trusting relationships with ventilator-dependent patients (Lindahl,
Watson wrote many books as her mid-range theory developed. Her first published work, Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring(1979), provided her students with a framework on how to care for patients. The carative factors and caritas model were based on Yalom’s eleven curative factors. Medicine is curative, so distinguishing nursing as a profession based on caring principles helps to delineate nursing from medicine as a separate science (Alligood, 2014, p. 86). Watson defines her theory as descriptive, therefore, it is hard to measure outcomes using established scientific methods, but through qualitative research approaches, positive outcomes can be assessed (Watson, 2012). Nelson and Watson (2011), conducted measurement …show more content…
85). The caring tradition is explicit and implicit based on seven major assumptions. The first two assumptions are founded on the implication that caring must be an interpersonal behavior, that can be guided by the carative factors that can result in the satisfaction of human needs (Nursing Theories, 2012). The following two assumptions emphasize that if a nurse is successful in caring interaction, the potential for health and growth within the patient can commence (Nursing Theories, 2012). Finally, the last three assumptions explain that if a nurse can provide a caring environment, based on the patient’s preferences, health promotion and individually will be maintained. Caring is considered “healthogenic” rather than curing meaning the science of caring and medicine work hand-in-hand, but caring is a nursing component (Nursing Theories, …show more content…
Many theories have been developed to explain the phenomenon of nursing and the care the profession provides. Watson’s Theory of Human Caring does not direct or explain how nurses should act, or speak, it simply imposes awareness of human consciousness through carative factors and ideas that can be embodied differently by all individuals (Alligood, 2014, p. 88). The concept is broad and those looking for stringent rules may not be able to grasp and mold the Caritas Processes into caring science. For example, nurses in areas of practice, such as in acute care settings have implemented Watson’s theory and have been able to successfully communicate and create trusting relationships with ventilator-dependent patients (Lindahl,