Nursing Theory: Dr. Jean Watson's Approach- Essay Sample

Introduction

The nursing framework is used in guiding the work of nursing. Nursing theory is defined as a framework of purposes and concepts which are organized to guide the nursing practice (Masters, 2014). The nursing theory, therefore, provides a guide on practices based on research in the nursing field. The following paper will discuss Dr. Jean Watson Theory illustrating how it could be implemented in the nursing practice.

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Nursing theories incorporate four major Metaparadigm, which are people, environment, health, and nursing. People are the center of nursing as they are the ones to receive nursing care. The environment describes the surroundings within which nursing care is provided. Health points at the well-being of a person, whereas the nursing concept is central to all existing nursing theories.

Watson's theory (1996) claimed that the primary goal of nursing is human caring (Masters, 2014). The theory focuses on helping people achieve a advanced level of congruence within three contexts, mind-body-spirit. The goal of Watson's Theory when attained potentiates health and healing (Masters, 2014). Watson (1997) asserted that this goal is accomplished via transpersonal caring based on carative factors alongside Caritas processes that are corresponding in nature.

In Watsons Model, the metaparadigm concepts are also described based on Watsons Philosophy. The first concept, the person is desribed as an embodied spirit, "a unity of mind-body-spirit." (Masters, 2014). The environment is described as a nonphysical environment that is energetic. The healing space or environment is a vibrational field where the nurse exists in the environment and also considered as the environment (Masters, 2014). Health, which is also described as healing in Watsons's theory, refers to wholeness, harmony, and comfort. The last concept, nursing, is taken as a reciprocal transpersonal relationship. The relationship is guided by Caritas processes and carative factors (Masters, 2014).

The ten carative factors by Watson has evolved through the years and renamed as clinical Caritas processes (Masters, 2014). Caritas means to appreciate, to cherish and giving special attention as it expresses the concept of love (Masters, 2014). The ten Caritas processes are summarized as:

• Practicing equanimity and loving-kindness not only for oneself but also for others
• Sustaining and enabling a deep belief system of being cared for through being authentically present
• Cultivating individual spiritual practices that surpass ego self
• Developing and continuing a working relationship that is helping-trusting, authentic and caring
• Expressing and supporting the expression of both negative and positive feeling s which act as a connection
• Using own and all-knowing ways in the caring process in a creative manner
• practicing in a teaching-learning experience that is genuine and in terms of caring relationship
• Ensuring and creating a healing environment at any given level
• Providing basic needs and issuing human care essentials that will align mind-body-spirit
• Opening and responding to unknown, mysterious, and spiritual existential scopes of one's life, death, and suffering.

I chose the Watson Theory as it focuses on the delivery of patient-centered care in the health care. Watson (2008) highlighted that the Caritas processes are the core of nursing founded in the science, art, and philosophy of caring. The Watsons's Theory is argued to be more focused on being than doing. However, it provides an essential framework for patient-centered nursing care in the healthcare. Again, it gives guidelines for nurse-patient interactions (Watson, 2008). The caring model was also chosen for discussion as it is philosophical and an ethical foundation for nursing. This model, therefore, presents caring as a call for science and arts, offering a framework that encourages and interconnects with humanities, spirituality, and dimensions of mind-body-spirit nursing.

The Watson theory could be implemented in the nursing practice as it broadly focuses on the well-being of oneself and others. It emphasizes the interaction between the [patient and the nurse in a favorable environment that promotes healing. The Watson Theory has been implemented across the healthcare field and reported effective. For example, Yeter Durgun Ozan (2015) reported that Watson's theory in nursing practice enhanced human health as well as healing in stressing life events such as infertility. Research by Yeter Durgun Ozan (2015) reported that in a case study, an infertile woman realized her impotence and even withy promising treatments, turned to the nurse for healing. This illustrates that the Watson theory is people-oriented and does not compromise the mind-body-spirit. It also demonstrates that love is the most significant healing source. And involve human to human caring. Based on the ten carative factors, we can conclude that they offer a guide into the implementation of the theory.

Based on my clinical experiences, one relevant example is in the case of dealing with people with stress disorder. The stressful moments can be a hindrance to healing. When a nurse interacted with the patient, they can examine not only factors related to the illness but also factors that surround the patient outside the healthcare facility. After reviewing the environment, nurses could interact and advice the patient on factors such as diet to feed on and how to manage the stress. In my clinical experience, I found that a well-structured one on one interaction with a patient and offering love, such as in case of infertility helped a patient recover quickly and reintegrate with the community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Watson Theory is useful in ensuring a patient-centered nursing practice. When well implemented in the health care, supportive nursing care is guaranteed. As such, a patient reaches the health-healing -wellness phase with ease when there is sustainable patient interaction, which is possible through the implementation of the Watson theory.

References

Masters, K. (2014). Nursing theories: A framework for professional practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Watson, J. (1997). The theory of human caring: Retrospective and prospective. Nursing science quarterly, 10(1), 49-52.

Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring (revised edition). Caring in nursing classics: An essential resource, 243-264.

Yeter Durgun Ozan PhD, B. S. N. (2015). Implementation of Watson's theory of human caring: a case study. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 8(1), 25.