Jean Watson's Theory of Caring Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Jean Watson's Theory of Caring - Assignment Example â€Å"J. Watson's caring theory addresses caring relationships among humans and the deep experiences of life itself. Caring is a universal phenomenon, which is likely to be perceived differently by patients and nurses if they come from different cultural backgrounds† (Suliman et al., 2009, p.293). It should be noted that in many of the hospitals in America and in European countries, foreigners are working in the nursing profession. This is because of the manpower shortages in these countries. Thus, it is quite possible that in America like countries both the patients and the nurses could be from different cultures. Even though caring has only one meaning in all the cultures, it can be perceived differently by people from different cultures. In other words, the needs of an American patient and that of an Indian patient suffering from same disease could be different. In America, patients expect lot more from the nurses. It is the duty of the nurses to rise to the occasion and li ve up to the expectations of each patient. Watson’s caring theory provides insights about the concepts of caring. â€Å"According to Watson, this theory is an attempt to find and deepen the language specific to nurse caring relations and its many meanings† (Rosenberg, 2006, p.53) The origin of this theory can be found in human science and metaphysics. It should be noted that human science is the base upon which all the healthcare theories were developed. â€Å"Watson described nursing as a human science of persons and human health-illness experiences that are mediated by professional, personal, scientific, aesthetic, and ethical human care transactions† (McCance et al., 1999, p.1390). In short, Watson was successful in defining nursing profession in a scientific way. Until the evolution of this theory, nurses were unaware of the needs of the patients and they cared the patients based on their instincts and wisdom. This theory is helpful for the nurses to know th e needs of the patients more and formulating suitable caring strategies for them. This paper analyses the concepts of Watson's theory in terms of actual nurse/patient interaction. Concepts of Watson’s theory The major concepts of Watson’s caring theory can be summarised as follows; Caring can be effectively demonstrated and practiced only interpersonally Caring consists of carative factors that result in the satisfaction of certain human needs. Effective caring promotes health and individual or family growth. Caring responses accept person not only as he or she is now but as what he or she may become. A caring environment is one that offers the development of potential while allowing the person to choose the best action for himself or herself at a given point in time. Caring is more â€Å" healthogenic† than is curing. A science of caring is complementary to the science of curing. The practice of caring is central to nursing (Jean Watson's Philosophy of Nursing, 2012) Watson believed that â€Å"Caring† is an endorsement of professional nurses identity and Medicine’s identity is that of â€Å"caring†. In Florence Nightingale’s words, â€Å"It is the surgeon who saves a person’s life †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.it is the nurse who helps this person live† (Overview of Jean Watson’s Theory, n.d., p.1). Caring is as important as surgery or other medical procedures. It is a fact that the doctors are responsible for complex medical procedures and prescription of medicines. At the same