Exploring the Importance of Caring in Nursing

Nursing is as much science as it is a study in the human condition. Combining caring and the notion of human flourishing allows the nurse sharpen her understanding of patients’ needs by observing and understanding herself (Husted & Husted, 2008). A nurse is able to better anticipate the needs of her patients by noting similarities and differences between the two of them. With caring in the nursing corner, even under less-than-ideal conditions, one can still create havens of hope, nourishment, and the possibility for flourishing (MacCulloh, 2011).

Human caring is what sets nursing apart from other professions. As Watson (1998) stated, “care and love are the most universal, the most tremendous and the most mysterious of cosmic forces: they comprise the primal universal psychic energy. Caring is the essence of nursing and the most central and unifying focus for nursing practice” (p. 32-33). It is important to establish a good nurse-patient relationship in order to create a healing environment that would meet patient’s needs on all levels including physical, mental/emotional and spiritual, promote recovery, maintain health, and create positive outcomes. Jean Watson emphasized the importance of human

“Being present to, and supportive of the expression of positive and negative feelings” (Alligood et al., 2010, p. 97).

I feel I closely identify with many of Jean Watson’s concepts. Her theory is about caring as a

Caring is the foundation of nursing. Caring attribute is the essential modules to provide patients with the best care possible. The caring attribute of nursing consist of 6 c’s but this essay will focus on four C’s (compassion, competence, commitment and confident). Compassion is the ability of showing empathy towards patient. Competence is having the knowledge to produce a successful care. Commitment consists of taking a pledge towards patient and their care. Confidence is the process of gaining trust with a patient. These attribute requires practice all the way through the treatment stages. The positive outcomes of these attribute promotes good patient and colleague relationships with a healthier environment for everyone. For a well superiority of care, caring attributes need to be practiced by health professions at all times. Nursing attribute is an important factor to have as a personal and a professional quality. Attribute is a significant factor in the health profession.

The nature of the interrelation of care and nursing has been recognised by theorists over several decades internationally, back in 2002 caring both as a natural attribute of being human and the core of nursing was identified by Sister Simone Roach of Canada. Sister Simone Roach was responsible for a similar set of the 6Cs to the ones we recognise today.

of the four points. The philosophy also indicates that caring is an inherent characteristic of

Every person’s needs must be recognized, respected, and filled if he or she must attain wholeness. The environment must attuned to that wholeness for healing to occur. Healing must be total or holistic if health must be restored or maintained. And a nurse-patient relationship is the very foundation of nursing (Conway et al 2011; Johnson, 2011). The Theory recognizes a person’s needs above all. It sets up the conducive environment to healing. It addresses and works on the restoration and maintenance of total

My approaches to caring include compassion, grace, service, presence, love, empowerment, partnership, justice and advocacy. I believe that an effective nurse thinks critically, communicates effectively, feels deeply, interacts meaningfully, assumes responsibility, acts morally, approaches clients within a partnering framework, understands that people’s needs vary with developmental stage and cultural background, and views people holistically, recognizing that health encompasses both wellness and illness. I believe that I believe the nature of nursing is rooted in commitment to public service and the undeniable desire to help those in need. Nursing is more than treating an illness; rather it is focused on delivering quality patient care that is individualized to

Nursing is more than treating the disease process; it also considers the many, sometimes hidden facets of the patients we treat. The patient is more than one-sided sets of vitals or diagnoses to fix; they are a whole person with different histories and circumstances that impact the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. My philosophy of nursing is the building of trust between nurse and patient provides a framework for an authentic relationship resulting in more tailored plans of care and ultimately better outcomes. My Nursing Philosophy

In the nursing industry there are different principles and philosophies that we live by. These philosophies and principles can range from Jean Watson’s Caring Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science (Watson's Caring Science Institute , 2010) to the Standards of Practice for Registered Nursing (AHPRA, 2018) We as inspiring nurses need to have a level of caring that allows us to connect with the patients and give them the best medical advice. Combine that with the science behind how the body works and what is needed we can accomplish our full potential. Every nurse has their own views on what makes them a want to be a nurse and what caring means to them as well as their own philosophy.

Swanson used various theoretical sources while developing her theory. During her doctoral studies, she was influenced by other nurses and their theories related to caring. She took Dr. Jacqueline Fawcett’s course on the conceptual basis of nursing practice as a master’s prepared nurse, not only made her better at understanding the differences between the goals of nursing and other health disciplines, but also made her realize that caring for others as they go through life transitions of health, illness, healing, and dying was congruent with her personal values. (Swanson 1991)Dr. Fawcett developed the Language of Nursing and Metatheory; she displayed a distinctive role in caring for others and the importance of altruistic caring for the person’s well-being. (Fawcett, 1989) Dr. Jean Watson was also a mentor during her doctoral studies. Dr. Watson is known for her Theory of Human Caring. Even with the

I believe at the heart of nursing is the provision of care. Caring is the fundamental tenet behind all that we do and say in our relationships with patients. Caring is a value I possess. Caring, is also a trait that must be nurtured and cultivated in all nurses to be therapeutic and of value to patients. Nurse educators facilitate students ' development of effective care.

Nursing is acknowledged as being the art and science of caring. Watson has continued to advocate that nursing is the philosophy and science of caring and that caring brings meaning, dignity and altruism to nursing and patient care (Watson 2008). According to Leininger (1988), ‘caring is the dominant intellectual, theoretical, heuristic, and central practice focus of nursing and no other profession is so totally concerned with caring behaviors, than nursing. Nurses caring behavior have been defined as acts, conduct and mannerisms enacted by professional nurses that convey concern, safety and attention to patients (Greenhalgh et al. 1998). Caring behaviors of nurses contributes to the patient’s satisfaction, well-being and subsequently to the

The caring moment is a human transaction that becomes a time of coming together. In Watson’s caring theory, she states that “...we learn from one another how to be human by identifying ourselves with others” (Watson, 2017, p. 9). This idea of coming together is a result of an action from both the nurse and the patient that involves us attempting to be humane. Actions from both individuals arise from personal experience, the level of knowledge of the individual, and the grasp of the concept of caring. The caring aspect of the moment stands out among the rest because if a trans-personal relationship has been established, then a connection is shared between both individuals in the moment allowing for a level of healing beyond the physical realm. From the results of the caring moment, we aim to gain self-knowledge so that we can learn and become better each and every day.