Watson’s Caring Theory for Nurse Practitioners

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Several theorists have presented powerful models that can be applied in nursing. Jean Watson is a scholar whose ideas continue to revolutionize the quality services available to many patients. Watson’s caring theory offers meaningful incentives and concepts that can be used to support practitioners’ philosophies. This paper gives a detailed critique of this theory by Watson.

Overview

Watson’s model is a powerful tool that guides nurses in preventing diseases and restoring health. It treats “caring” as something that can be practiced and applied interpersonally (McEwen & Wills, 2014). This model goes further to indicate that caring is usually “healthogenic” (Pajnkihar, McKenna, Stiglic, & Vrbnjak, 2017). The idea of compassionate can empower nurses to take the profession to the next level. Caring is a concept that should be perceived as a moral ideal. Human-to-human transpersonal relationships have to be established to promote human wholeness and dignity. The major assumptions outlined in this model include:

Caring is practiced interpersonally
Curative factors deliver positive health results
Caregivers accept patients as they are
A caring environment is essential
A science of curing is complementary to that of caring

Diagram

Figure 1: Watson’s theory major concepts.

Origin of the Theory

After completing her graduate and undergraduate degrees in the field of psychiatric mental health, Jean Watson undertook numerous researches in order to understand the health challenges facing humanity. Her main focus was on educational psychology. She also managed to earn a PhD in the same field. She conducted different researches in an attempt to examine the relevance of human caring in nursing practice (Ozan & Okumus, 2017). These ideas and expectations led to the publication of the “Nursing: Human Science and Human Care” theory in 1988.

Metaparadigms

Watson managed to apply the four metaparadigms of nursing in her theory. The first metaparadigm is that of person and is defined as a valued individual who deserves care and understanding. Every individual is fully functional and comprised of different organs or parts (Norman, Rossillo, & Skelton, 2016). The second one is health. It is identified as a high level of social, physical, and mental functioning (see Figure 1). It is achieved by applying efforts that can result in the absence of illnesses. Environment is the third concept. It revolves around the creation of a positive culture whereby coping is promoted. The fourth metaparadigm is nursing. This is a complex approach used to provide care and prevent diseases.

Usefulness

Watson’s model has been utilized in different settings to deliver positive outcomes. Ozan, Okumus, and Lash (2015) indicate that the theory improves the quality of life in individuals with chronic conditions such as stroke. Norman et al. (2016) believe that this model is useful whenever supporting every healing process. Clark (2016) asserts that the idea of magnet status is an example of how this model is utilized to improve healthcare delivery. This is the case because it promotes curing and caring as meaningful attributes in nursing practice.

Many nurses can have also integrated it in their philosophies to achieve positive results and transform their patients’ experiences. Experts have also observed that the theory has been used minimize the impacts of health challenges such as depression (Ozan et al., 2015). Practitioners utilize this theory to engage in lifelong learning and acquire superior competencies in caring.

Testability

In 1996, a study was conducted in an attempt to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the model. This study by the name “An Analysis and Evaluation of Watson’s Theory of Human Care” by Sourial Samer indicated that the theory was consistent with the requirements of nursing practice. Similarly, the work “Developing a Practice Model for Watson’s Theory of Caring” by Ajimol Lukose was aimed at testing the effectiveness of this model (Clark, 2016). These studies revealed that the model could be applied in different learning environments to improve nurses’ competencies in caring. However, the theory cannot be applied in every healthcare setting.

Parsimony

Practitioners planning to use Watson’s theory should be self-motivated and willing to influence others. They must form multidisciplinary teams, be determined, and expand the model to support their actions or care delivery philosophies. They should go further to develop skills such as emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and problem-solving. This is the case because the concepts are missing in this model (Clark, 2016). Competent nurses should focus on the idea of caring and develop favorable environments for delivering positive health results.

Overall Evaluation

Several aspects explain why this theory has been embraced by many scholars and practitioners. The first one is that it focuses on a patient’s health outcome within the family context. Secondly, it guides practitioners to consider the diverse needs of their patients. Thirdly, its concepts and assumptions are also applicable in various health settings. Different concepts and models can be merged with it to improve nursing practice (Ozan et al., 2015). Additionally, advanced technologies can guide nurses to develop superior care delivery models.

There are some weaknesses that make the theory inapplicable in various settings. The first one is that it fails to address the biophysical needs of individuals. Secondly, the outlined curative factors do not focus on patients’ psychosocial needs (Clark, 2016). The major threat is that this theory can become obsolete due to the existence of superior models such as the Transcultural Nursing Theory by Madeleine Leininger.

Application

Watson’s model is a valuable tool that can be applied in nursing practice. It offers evidence-based insights that can ensure that communities and family members are considered whenever providing patient support. It can lead into action by guiding, influencing, and encouraging different professionals to make positive nursing decisions. For example, nurses can apply the above concepts to deliver holistic care. Additionally, it treats “caring” as a powerful skill that should be developed by practitioners (Peterson & Bredow, 2016). This theory will, therefore, continue to empower nurses whenever meeting their patients’ needs.

Curriculum developers have also been considering this tool to present superior skills and instructions that can improve patients’ outcomes. Educationists can also consider this model to support the needs of learners and other stakeholders (Ozan & Okumus, 2017). In nursing administration, managers and leaders can consider this hypothesis to create the best environment whereby holistic care can be available to patients.

In terms of time value, this theory has been utilized since 1988. For instance, it has been expanded to transform the quality of care available in different settings and environments. The aspects associated with this model continue to empower nurses, physicians, and caregivers (Peterson & Bredow, 2016). More studies are also being done in order to make it applicable in nursing administration and education.

Conclusion

Jean Watson’s theory is a significant model for improving the outcomes of patients. It has unique concepts, assumptions, and aspects that can be considered to transform nursing practice. However, the model has limitations since it does not address patients’ biophysical and biosocial needs. Practitioners who want to use this theory should consider such aspects in order to transform the field.

References

Clark, C. S. (2016). Watson’s human caring theory: Pertinent transpersonal and humanities concepts for educators. Humanities, 5, 21-32. Web.

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Norman, V., Rossillo, K., & Skelton, K. (2016). Creating healing environments through the theory of caring. AORN Journal, 104(5), 401-409. Web.

Ozan, Y. D., & Okumus, H. (2017). Effects of nursing care based on Watson’s theory of human caring on anxiety, distress, and coping, when infertility treatment fails: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Caring Sciences, 6(2), 95-109. Web.

Ozan, Y. D., Okumus, H., & Lash, A. A. (2015). Implementation of Watson’s theory of human caring: A case study. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 8(1), 25-35.

Pajnkihar, M., McKenna, H. P., Stiglic, G., & Vrbnjak, D. (2017). Fit for practice: Analysis and evaluation of Watson’s theory of human caring. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(3), 243-252. Web.

Peterson, S. J., & Bredow, T. S. (2016). Middle range theories: Application to nursing research and practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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