Watson's Theories

Narrative Essay # 100948

Medical and Health > Nursing

Watson's Theories

A letter to a nursing student discussing J. Watson's theories in relation to a specific case study example.

1,086 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper is written in the form of a letter to a second year nursing student. The letter aims to demonstrate how reflective practice can be greatly deepened and expanded by using different concepts by the same theorist. The paper focuses on J. Watson's development of a helping-trust relationship and her promotion of interpersonal teaching-learning. It also discusses the concept of the client's choice. The paper uses a case study as an example and it presents this case in an appendix at the end of the paper. It also provides some source material.

From the Paper:

"The transpersonal caring relationship has a specific goal which is the preservation and maximization of the patient's dignity and inner harmony. I achieved this goal with Mr. C by focusing on his progress and reminded him that he had returned to the hospital of his own accord. I also reminded him that he had taken action at the appropriate time before serious problems developed with his diabetes. I also informed him that even though his choices were not always the most appropriate ones, he still had made his own attempts at coping but without the needed information from health teaching. Both nurse and patient learn and are transformed through the transpersonal care relationship. I had learned to focus on caring not merely as separate skills such as clinical competence or empathy but in terms of cherishing, appreciation, and providing special attention. These attributes are summarized in Watson's concept of clinical caritas (Alligood & Tomey, 2006)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Alligood, M. & Tomey, A. (2006). Nursing theory. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby.
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) (2005). Ethics. http://www.cno.org
Registered Nurses of Ontario (RNAO) (2002). Client centered care. http://www.rnao.org
Tomey, A. & Alligood, M. (2006). Nursing theorists and their work. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby.
Walker, C. (1996). Coalescing the theories of two nurse visionaries: Parse and Watson. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24 (5), 988-996.