Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring: Metaparadigm

1. Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring: Metaparadigm By: Sheldon Hubert

2. Jean Watson Caring is a moral ideal that can be demonstrated through curative factors (nursing interventions) that allow for contact between the subjective world of the experiencing persons (Watson/1985).

3. THE PERSON (PATIENT) • Is subjective and unique, not objective, predictable and calculating. • Has distinct human needs, which are biophysical, psychophysical, psychosocial and interpersonal. • Is to be valued, cared for, respected, nurtured, understood and assisted. • Is a functioning whole, there is no division among the mind, body and spirit (George/2002). • Is directly influenced by their external environment.

4. THE ENVIRONMENT • Is crucial to the holistic healing (mental, physical, social, emotional, spiritual, developmental, protective, supportive environments), which is conducive to a patients health and wellbeing, and it also affects the nurses within a caring-healing model (Bernick, 2004). • Contains “noise, privacy, light, access to nature, color, space and smells that can have an impact on the caring-healing process” (Watson/1999). • Includes the nurse’s presence, voice, touch, consciousness, face and feelings (Watson, 2005). • Is usually designed as a home-like environment but these “systems still fall short as healing spaces” (Watson/1999).

5. HEALTH • Is viewed holistically, as the unity between the physical, social, mental and spiritual self, with all parts working together in harmony and functioning to their full capacity. • Is a perceived by the patient and is influenced by their own unique life experiences (Bernick/2004). • Entirely includes a individuals physical, social, aesthetic and moral realms, not just their behaviour and physiology (George/2002).

6. NURSING • Is a caring, meaningful and harmonic connective bond that is shared between the nurse and the patient (George/2002), which is known as “sacred space” (Watson/2005). • Is providing caring, professional and thoughtful interactions to restore and promote holistic health and to prevent illness. • “Is a presence of infinity love/spirit/universal energy,” which provides support and care needed for inner healing (Watson/2005). • Provides a supportive human presence, with voice, touch, facial expression, feelings and consciousness (Watson/2005). • Is a holistic practice that is complementary to medicine, but different.

7. Presentation References • George, J. (2002). Nursing Theories: The Base for Professional Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall • Bernick, L. (2004). Caring for Older Adults: Practice Guided by Watson’s Caring-Healing Model. Nursing Science Quarterly, 17(2) 128-134 • Watson, J. (1985). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. Colorado: Associated University Press. • Watson, J. (1999). Postmodernism and Knowledge Development in Nursing. Perspectives on Philosophy of Science in Nursing: An Historical and Contemporary Anthology, Lippincott, 471-6 • Watson, J. (2005). Holding Holy Spaces in Our Face, Hands and Hearts. Caring Science as Sacred Science, FA Davis, 92-96

8. Picture References • Holding Heart Picture: www.ps21.gov.sg/.../2007_12/images/caring.jpg • Caring Dad Picture: www.coloradoan.com/graphics/blogs/caring_dads.jpg • Nursing Art Picture: www.adventurequilter.com/.../Caring-web.jpg • Jean Watson Picture: www.sttialphakappa.org/Watson_Jean.jpg • Patient Picture: www.spacelabs.com/patient-monitoring-connectivity/images/patient-monitoring-connectivity.jpg • Environment Picture: http://nymag.com/health/besthospitals/24095 • Health Picture: http://www.freehealthandwellnessinfo.com/health%20wellness%20articles%20-%20apple%20image.jpg • Nursing Picture: www.centegra.org/.../Nurse_and_Patient.jpg