Nursing Theory Analysis

The 21st century healthcare culture has increased demands for quantity and efficiency, which has caused increased stress on practitioners and staff within health care (Dudkiewicz, 2014). This causes distance between healthcare providers and patients leading to unsatisfied holistic needs. Jean Watson created the theory of human caring to emphasize the importance of connectedness between all humans through holistic care, and nourishing others and one’s self in a personal and professional way (Sitzman & Watson, 2014). The obstacles Jean Watson faced led her to create and revise her theory on the philosophy and science of caring, which then evolved and adapted in hospitals, and continues to shape the nursing practice today.

Theory development stems from personal experiences, intuition, and knowledge of the theorist (Burns et al., 2013). When a scholar develops a theory, it has to be tested through research. The findings of the study are then presented to experts in the area of academics and the field of practice (Burns et al., 2013). The presentation of the findings allows experts to provide constructive criticism, highlight the pros and cons of the theory, and acknowledge whether or not the theory can be accepted as a guide to practice. This theory evaluation paper will give the reader a theory description, theory analysis, and an assessment of Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory of nursing (Alligood et al., 2010).

Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring has six explicit assumptions. The first assumption is, ontological assumptions emphasizing on the oneness or the connectedness of the human beings. The nurse’s experiences and values are key points to the first assumption. The second is an epistemological assumption which states that there are many ways of knowing. This includes topics as oneself and patients to abstract topics and concepts in nursing. The third assumption mentions that there are diverse methods of knowing and that the collection of information is in various forms. This includes learning about cultures, talking to patients etc. The fourth assumption makes the diverse perspectives explicit in the caring model.

First, the state licensure regulates NP practice and it has been a big issue since NPs are not able to practice to the fullest extent despite of their education and training. NPs practice is regulated by state licensure and only about one-third of the nation has adopted full practice authority licensure and practice laws for NPs (Hain & Fleck, 2014). The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that, under a full practice authority model, NPs are still required to meet

A nursing theory that has influenced my professional nursing practice is Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. In this theory she addresses how nurses care for their patients. Caring is the essence of the nursing profession and is a relationship formed between the nurse and the patient. In Watson’s theory she believed that caring could assist the patient to gain control in their own health care, become educated, and in the end find health. Watson focused on the patient’s mind, body, and soul and this is the aspect of her theory that I try to use in my professional practice. As a new nurse straight out of nursing school I focused more on protocols and procedures to make sure I was doing everything right. My patients had good outcomes but I was amazed when I started thinking about the patient as a whole and not just thinking about the illness they had and how to treat it. Many times just treating the patient’s

State licensure controls NP practice and is a barrier to NP practice to the fullest extent of their education and training. Full practice authority allow the Np to assess patents, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, initiate and manage treatments including prescribing medications independently. At present only one third of the nation has adopted full practice authority and practice laws for NPs. The remainder of the NPs in the U.S have reduced or restricted practice licensure (Hain & Fleck, 2014). In reduced practice, state practice and licensure law reduces the ability of NP to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law necessitates a regulated collaborative agreement with an outside health discipline for the Np to provide patient care or limits the settings or scope of one or more elements of NP practice. Whereas in restricted practice, State practice and licensure law restricts the ability of a NP to engage in at least one element of NP practice. In Texas, Np practice is restricted. State requires supervision, delegation, or team-management by an outside health discipline in order for the NP to provide patient care in Texas (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2017). Full practice authority for NP referred to autonomous practice or independent practice. The IOM report has identified, restrictive scope of practice regulation is one of the most serious barriers to accessible care. Variation in scope of practice across states has an indirect impact on patient care since the degree of physician supervision may affect practice opportunities and payer polices for NPs (Hain & Fleck, 2014). In 2010, a full practice status model was recommended by the institute of medicine and national council for state boards of nursing. However, 29 states including Texas, still holding reduced or restricted practice regulations for NPs (Simmons School of Nursing

APRNs must have a valid license issued by the state board of nursing prior to practicing or offering to practice health care for any individual (H.B.4334, 2016). To obtain licensure, one must submit a written application, verified by oath, with an application fee to the state board of nursing (H.B.4334, 2016). The applicant must have a registered nurse’s license which is in good standing, have satisfactorily completed a graduate-level program in nursing, and have obtained a certification level recognized and approved by the state board of nursing such as a certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse anesthetist, etc. (H.B.4334,

The Board of Nursing in California provides specific guidelines by which a registered nurse can become a nurse practitioner (NP) by means of acquiring advanced practice education. The additional preparation will help the NP in assessing and managing the healthcare needs of their patient population. In 2008 there were an estimated 145,000 NPs nationwide and 13,649 in California (Christian, S., & Dower, J.D., 2008). Although there are federal mandates for the NP role in primary care, the majority of the educational guidelines and scope of practice rules fall to individual states. This creates disparities between states that are evident by the differences in the outlined scope of practice for an NP.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and summarize the philosophy of nursing and how nursing theory guides this nurse’s practice. Information used to do this paper was retrieved from the online database, Nursing and Allied Health Source and CINAHL through the SJR State Library. Our textbook, The Conceptual Foundations and the Merriam- Webster Dictionary website was also used. Some of the search phrases used were Jean Watson theory of human caring, philosophy of nursing, and Watson’s philosophy and theory of human caring in nursing on the online database. The word philosophy was also searched on the Merriam- Webster Dictionary website. There was an abundance information throughout my research on

The two theories that have helped to form my personal perspective on nursing are Erickson; and Rogers. Helen Erickson’s model is based on caring for an individual patient based on their own unique needs and perspective (Nursing Theories and Models, 2017). Erickson’s model took concepts from several other theorists such as Maslow, Padget, Seyle, and Lazarus and combined them to create a nursing model that takes care of each individual patient based on their needs ( Reed, 2017). This theory helps me to be more cognizant of the individual needs of my patient, not all patients regardless of disease process are the same. Each patient may have different underlying factors or circumstances that affect their health and current situation. Rogers’ theory is broader, viewing nursing as both an art and science, promoting health and wellbeing to patients regardless of where they are (Nursing Theories and Models, 2017). The science of nursing involves the knowledge and research of nursing, and the art is applying that science for the betterment of the patient. This theory views an individual as part

(2011), Jean Watson’s theoretical framework lies in carative factors, transpersonal caring relationship, and caring moment. This implies basically that the core of nursing is in caring and other qualities of nursing as a profession builds on it. Her assumptions of caring affirms that in all we do to assist a client, caring is the most important. She claimed that without caring, curing cannot effectively occur.

This paper will explore Jean Watson’s theory of transpersonal human caring as well as a description of the major concepts of Watson’s theory. I will apply Watson’s theory to two nurse/ patient relationships and describe the caring moments that occurred. I will discuss Watson’s major assumptions and relate this to person, health, and nursing in the health care environment. I will also describe how Watson’s carative factors were utilized in a transpersonal relationship with the application of four carative factors. Lastly I will conclude with a reflection

Jean Watson's theory of nursing is based on the ideas of a number of philosophers and psychologists, including Carl Rogers, most specifically on his "phenomenological psychology and philosophy" (Tourville and Ingalls, 2003, p. 21). Her theory evolved over at least two decades of diverse experiences. Watson's theory is referred to as Transpersonal Caring because it emphasizes unity in the world (Tourville and Ingalls, 2003). Watson proposed that caring is a natural act for humans and it becomes a moral principle at the point when a patient and a nurse share a caring experience (Watson 2007). According to Watson, the goal of nursing is to help the patient achieve harmony of mind, body and spirit (Watson, 2007).

This theory explains, describes, guides, and supports nursing practice. It gives language to the unspoken beliefs and perspectives of the nursing profession. This allows the nursing professionals to better envision, realize, and articulate their unique role in healthcare (Green & Robichaux, 2009). Human caring is the basis of therapeutic relationships between human beings (Wade & Kasper, 2006)

According to the Arslanian, Hicks, Whall and Algase (2005) nursing theories have unique views. Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) not only focus on diagnosis and medical intervention but also considers family, environment and patient responses in their plan of care. This makes them different from other health care providers like physicians and physicians assistants (Arslanian et al., 2005). I agree that it is important for us as an APN to use theories to guide our own advanced practice because theory gives identification to nurses, and distinguishes nurses from other profession by its unique contribution to the clinical practice. Nursing is an autonomous profession (Kenny, 2013). Nursing theory provides various information to understand the patient