Watson's Theory of Caring

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Jean Watson is one of the first nurse theorists to address the idea of caring as the focus of a nursing theory. The author relates that Watson believes that caring science, which includes the arts and humanities as well as science, encompasses a humanitarian, human science orientation to human caring processes and experiences. Watson's theory, the paper interprets, treats the patient in a holistic manner utilizing a caring attitude, which releases positive energy that influences all spheres of the patient's well being.

From the Paper:

"Teresa Vance notes that caring and nursing have always been viewed as synonymous, and that most individuals choose nursing as a profession because they have a desire to care for others. This fact has led to a number of caring theories, two of which are Leininger's theory of cultural care and Jean Watson's theory of human caring. Watson defines caring as a science and sees caring as a science that encompasses a humanitarian, human science orientation, human caring processes, phenomena, and experiences. The theory is viewed as much a philosophy as a theory of nursing."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Caring Theory Defined. 2007. August 8, 2008. http://hschealth.uchsc.edu/son/faculty/theory_caring.htm.
• Kelley, Jane H. (2002, April 1). Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Theory: Exploration of Factors Inhibiting and Supporting Simultaneous Use. Nursing Diagnosis (April 2002). August 10, 2008. http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc3.asp?DOCID=1G1:90359302&num=4&ctrlInfo=Round7%3AProd%3ASR%3AResult&ao=.
• Kim, Hesook Suzie and Ingrid Kollak. Nursing Theories: Conceptual and Philosophical Foundations. New York: Springer, 2006.
• Lego, Suzanne. "The One-to-One Nurse-Patient Relationship." Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, Volume 35, Issue 4 (1999). August 9, 2008. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001867906.
• McCance, T.V., J.P. McKenna, and J.R.P. Boore. "Caring: Theoretical Perspecties of Relevance to Nursing." Journal of Advanced Nursing (1999), 30: 6.

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