Running head : Jean Watson Human Caring Theory 1

Jean Watson Human Caring Theory

Manjeet Kaur

Field Clinical Nursing Practice - RPNR-040-303

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

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Jean Watson is the first nursing theorist that supported the idea of spirituality to achieve
harmony among body, mind and soul to achieve highest state of health, which is also a nursing
goal. Jean Watson’s theory of human caring is applicable to all types of nursing especially to
hospice care. Watson’s defined human caring in nursing as an act and a science in which caring
is a human to human process demonstrated through a therapeutic interpersonal interaction.
According to Jean Watson “ A model of caring includes a call for both art and science; it offers a
framework that embraces and intersects with art, science, humanities, spirituality, and new
dimensions of mind, body, and spirit medicine and nursing evolving openly as central to human
phenomena of nursing practice” (Watson, 2018).

Watson’s theory of human caring comprised of three major elements carative factors,
transpersonal caring relationship, caring occasions/moments. Carative is the philosophy and
theory of human caring. The human caring theory is organized around ten carative factors that
are formation of a humanistic-altruistic system of values, installation of faith- hope, cultivation
of sensitive to self and others, development of helping-trusting and caring relationships,
promotion and acceptance of positive and negative feeling expressions, systematic use of a
creative problem-solving process, promotion of transpersonal teaching-learning, creating a
healing environment at all levels, assistance with the basic human needs, and allowance for
existential- spiritual forces. Transpersonal caring relationship describes how the nurse goes
beyond the objective assessment to show concern towards deeper meaning of client’s healthcare
situation. The caring occasion or moment is created when the nurse and client come together in a
human-human transaction for human caring.

In my long term care facility, I have observed the use of human caring theory to provide
holistic care for elder residents. In old age due to loss of physical independence and functioning
many elders suffer from depression which affect their quality of life and well-being. The elders
fell loneliness due to change in environment, missing loved ones, chronic medical condition or
isolation. Each individual is unique and have different needs to be in a state of happiness and
well-being. In our facility different activities are organized to meet their emotional, physical and
spiritual needs to ensure complete healing at all levels. In my ward 71 years old Ms. X was
feeling little depressed after surgery due to restriction in physical limitation to do daily routine
activities. Apart from just administering medication and assessing vitals, I got more involved
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helping her with basic care and spending more time interacting and listening to her. Caring
relationship was built between us and she was showing less signs of depression and
stubbornness. She was responding to everything around her with a positive attitude. During the
recovery period, her behaviour towards other elders and workers became more harmonious.
Building a caring relationship did improve her overall well-being and the healing process
became smoother and less painful.

The major concepts of Watson’s human caring theory can bring a great impact to nurse
client relationship in a clinical setting. “The core of the Theory of Caring is that humans cannot
be treated as objects and that humans cannot be separated from self, other, nature, and the larger
workforce. Her theory encompasses the whole world of nursing; with the emphasis placed on the
interpersonal process between the care giver and care recipient. The theory is focused on “the
centrality of human caring and on the caring-to-caring transpersonal relationship and its healing
potential for both the one who is caring and the one who is being cared for” (Watson).
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References

Watson, J. (2018). Caring Science Theory. Retrieved from

https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/jean-bio/caring-science-theory/

Watson, J. (n.d.). Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring. Retrieved from

https://www.redlandshospital.org/nursing-excellence/jean-watsons-theory-of-human-caring/