CARING IN NURSING
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CARING IN NURSING?
Caring constitutes a variety of meanings. Most scholars view caring from their own context and
therefore, a universal definition is not possible. The complexity of defining caring should be left
up to the individual. It is only when we understand ourselves that we can formulate our own
definition of caring. Providing an intellectual dialog on caring within the nursing community will
enable the nursing profession to grow at its fullest potential by strengthening the core of the
nurse for his/her fullest potential as a practicing nurse.
The significance of caring in nursing is to provide the best possible care to our patients. Caring is
the foundation of nursing. Caring skills can be further developed when we know exactly what
we’re going to do to different situations in the clinical setting. It is a good way of showing
patients that you care for them even there’s no hope at all. The interventions of Watson’s Human
Care Theory are associated to the human care process with complete participation of the nurse/
person in conjunction with the patient/person. These interventions require an intention, a drive, a
relationship, and actions. The process requires a commitment to caring as a moral obligation
directed toward the preservation of humanity/ The carative factor is formulated by a knowledge
base and clinical competence. It is only when the nurse is being with the other person can the
carative factors become actualized.
SIGNIFICANCE OF CARING THEORISTS
As a common theme, both Watson and Leininger view nursing “as a humanistic science, with the
concept of caring being the central unifying domain of nursing”. However, both theorists
formulated a different picture of caring. Watson concentrates on the philosophic (existential-
phenomenological) and spiritual foundation of caring and believes caring to be “the ethical and
moral ideal of nursing”. Whereas Leininger places caring in a cultural context because caring
patterns can differ transculturally.
Although Watson and Leininger are highly respected for their theories on caring, they view
caring from two different perspectives. Only by understanding their philosophical underpinnings,
epistemology, and constructs from which they are coming from can one fully understand and
appreciate their perspectives.
Leininger and Watson differ on whether there is a difference between generic caring and
professional caring. Watson believes that caring is an interpersonal process between two people
with transpersonal dimensions. “Transpersonal caring, an important component of caring, occurs
when the nurse detects the subjective world of the patient, experiences union with it and
expresses the union in such a way that both experience a freeing from isolation. Transpersonal
caring, then, is a spiritual space, and life history of each other. This transcendence allows both
the patient and the nurse to enter the phenomenal field of the other”.
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CARING IN NURSING
Swanson believes that there are assumptions regarding the four main phenomena of concern to
nursing: persons/clients, health/wellbeing, environments and nursing. Swanson agrees with
Watson in that the way in which nurses identify persons and personhood plays a role in
identifying the clients of nursing and what defines the practices, environments, and goals of
nursing care. The individual’s life experience is influenced by the genetic makeup, spiritual
enrichment, and the capacity to portray free will. Individuals are not stagnant in regards to their
wholeness, but instead are involved in “becoming, growing, self-reflecting, and seeking to
connect with others”.
In nursing, caring is considered a core concept in nursing as a practice discipline is a science of
persons and health-illness experience that are mediated by professional, personal, scientific, and
ethical care interactions. It provides authentic relationship between the nurse and its patients.
Every individual has their own perception of caring. Nursing is frequently viewed as an
extension of medicine focusing on psychomotor skills and a willingness to follow orders.
Unfortunately, our society places a higher priority on stopping the disease and circumventing
death than on the prevention of health problems, enhancement of the quality of life, and
maintaining a patient’s dignity. The beauty of nursing can be seen by those who truly have an
appreciation for nursing.
Caring provides each person with a caring environment and assist their basic needs. Due to the
large amount of time spent by the nurse with the family members, the nurse tends to know more
about the family’s wishes and resources than other health care professionals, as is shown when
“nurses also ensure that the policies and resources of health care agencies meet the psychosocial
needs of children and their families” (J. Ball and R. Bindler, pediatric nursing, caring for
children, 2003). Watson posits that the value of human care and caring is more than the mere
action of performance. In health, it is the absence of illness or the presence of efforts leading to
the absence of illness. Caring involves a sense of self identity and spirit of the person. It involves
a pure sense of dedication and commitment to the patient.
The theories help provide and maintain sustainable environment for the comfortability of the
patient to the clinical setting. This can be accomplished by either being a recipient of high-
quality nursing, receiving formal education, or observing exceptional clinical practice. As a
nursing student, it will help us know and improve the knowledge that we have in order to prepare
in any situation in the future. A specific action of caring may transcend the value because it is
“grounded in the self-transcending creative nurse”. A nurse is required to perform certain acts for
her patient which are legally and ethically binding. Nurses are often associated with caring
because they support, comfort, and help the patient recover to the best of their ability
(Brilowskig A. & Wendler M. C.).
HOW IMPORTANT IS CARING TO OUR PROFESSION?
Caring can be described in many different ways. It is important for nurses to treat a patient's
physical ailments as well as his or her emotional needs. Taking care of our patients is one of the
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CARING IN NURSING
most important ways that a nursing student must know before he/she enters the profession itself.
We are trained to develop a compassionate approach to our patients to care. Since nursing is a
caring profession, its ability to sustain its caring ideal and ideology in practice will affect the
human development of civilization and determine nursing’s contribution to society (Watson). It’s
our goal to care for our patients and we need to properly treat them with the knowledge that we
have in nursing.
SITE AN EXAMPLE SHOWING HOW YOU CARE TO A NON-SIGNIFICANT
PERSON TO YOU.
Nurses are bound to care different patients with different conditions. Nurses could demonstrate
the touch factor as a comforting approach to reach out by making contact with the patients and
letting them know you are. Nurses can demonstrate caring by being with the patient and ensuring
that they feel comfortable in their environment by showing that you care and help them to
change their life for the better. Another way to demonstrate caring is through listening. Listening
demonstrates caring by bringing the nurse’s full attention and interest to the patient, creating
trust and having communication between you and the patient. Nurses must have relevance,
adaptability, humor, good posture and facial expressions toward their patients. It also involves
reaching out to other individuals of the patient, such as their family members or close friends as
it can be difficult at times taking in patient information. Nurses approach the patient with the idea
that the medical condition or developmental challenge has a personal meaning to the patient.
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