Jean Watsons Nursing TheoryEssay Preview: Jean Watsons Nursing TheoryReport this essayJean WatsonNursing theory provides a framework to guide the practice of nursing (McEwen & Wills, 2014). The authors of this paper believe strongly in Jean Watson’s Caring Theory because caring is a critical element in nursing (Jean Watson, 2009). For Watson caring for others was a “moral idea” (Watson, 1988, p. 54). Her theory has shown to be applicable across various types of practice settings (Einstein Healthcare Network, n.d.). Nurses across various disciplines appreciate the value of caring and interpersonal relationships inherent in this theory (Einstein Healthcare Network, n.d.). A spirit of authentic presence, as well as intentionality which assists the patient to heal from within, has been embraced by this theory (Jean Watsons Theory of Human Caring, n.d.). Additionally, the theory of Human Caring is one of the few theories which benefits both the patient and the caregiver (Jean Watsons Theory of Human Caring, n.d.). This paper provides a brief history of the theorist, Jean Watson, an overview of the Theory of Human Caring, and applications of the theory.
Biography of Dr. Jean WatsonIn 1940, Margaret Jean Harmon was born in West Virginia, (Petiprin, 2016). She was the youngest of eight children (Petiprin, 2016). Jean had planned to attend the university, but her plans were altered due to the death of her father (Watson, n.d.). In 1961, Jean attended the Lewis-Gale School of Nursing in Virginia (Jean Watson, n.d.). Her father’s death caused her to critique her nursing school; she realized it focused on a medical model ignoring the importance of caring (Watson, n.d.). As a novice nurse, she stated she wanted a deeper connection with her patients and to understand what was behind her patient’s suffering (Watson, n.d.). While in nursing school, Jean married Douglas Watson (Jean Watson, n.d.). After her marriage, she continued her education at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado (Jean Watson, n.d.). At the University of Colorado, Jean attained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) (Jean Watson, n.d.). Once having obtained her masters degree in nursing from the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver, she then continued to earn a Ph D in educational psychology and counseling from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1973. (Jean Watson, n.d.). In 1977, Jean’s left eye was avulsed in a golfing accident (Watson, n.d.). Shortly after her accident, Jean’s husband died by suicide (Watson, n.d.). It was during her healing from the loss of an eye and her husband in which she developed the Theory of Caring (Petiprin, 2016).
Watson stated her theory was influenced by personal experience, her world view, her travels, and her educational experiences (Watson Caring Science Institute and International Caritas Consortium, 2013). Carl Rogers, Giorgio, Yalom, Peplau, Nightingale, Rogers, Roy, and Kierkegaard, were all primary inspirations of her theory (Watson, 1997; Watson, 1988). Additionally, Watson attributed her incorporation of cultural sensitivity and eastern mysticism to her international travels (Watson, 1997).
Currently, Watson is a professor and Dean Emerita at the University of Colorado in Denver Colorado and is Fellow American Academy of Nursing (AAN) (Watson, n.d.). Watson was the founder of the Center for Human Caring (Watson, n.d.). She has written over 30 books and numerous articles in her career (Watson, n.d.). Watson is the recipient of various awards and holds 10 honorary doctoral degrees (McEwen, & Wills, 2014). In 2013, the AAN gave Watson their highest honor, that of Living Legend (Watson, n.d.).
Watson: Grand Nursing TheoristAccording to McEwen & Wills (2014), nursing theories can be classified based upon their level of abstraction. Metatheory is the most abstract type of theory, and it is and is “a theory about theory” (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 37). Grand theories, or macro-theories, are comprised of broad, abstract concepts and provide an overall framework by which to practice nursing (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Middle range theories are more concrete in nature and are more applicable to the scope of daily practice (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Based on these definitions of grand theorists, Watson is considered a grand theorist as her theory provides overarching concepts by which to practice (McEwen & Wills, 2014).
Watson and his colleague John Viguerie, a former member of the Bismarck Society, had also developed notions of “modern grand theory”. Theoretical, metaphorical, and normative theories of grand theory are common concepts in modern nursing (McEwen & Wills, 2013). Modern grand theory has had its share of criticisms; many argue that theories of grand causality cannot explain the way we perform medicine (Chen, 2009; Wills, 2014). Others point a particular finger at the theories of grand theory for their complexity and limitations (Wills, 2013), though the issues are not unique to the Grand Mechanists.
While it is true that a grand theory can, at first glance, seem simple and logical, these concepts are more complex than they are simple. The term grand theory is defined by the concept of “multismaking”, in this case “the centrality and coherence of the interwoven structure of the complex” (Macpherson, 2012). The concept of a grand theory is important in modern nursing, particularly since, over the coming decades, many concepts have emerged as well, such as the roles of human activity, the role of the brain and all the rest. For example–”I have found…there may be some aspects of our lives that are more complex than others”–the idea that the universe is comprised of six planets will be very helpful when it comes to studying grand theories of grand causality (Kraeger, 2008).
Another misconception is that grand theories can only explain something if their explanatory theory is fully explanatory. Since a model has no account for something and is not an account, it is possible that an understanding of the structure of this model may not apply. Even in such a model, there are difficulties to explain the relationship between information given to the model and its model’s explanatory theory.
A further complication is that, because of the limited number of models to build upon, grand theories are often based on assumptions that are less than satisfactory. Grand theories are not built on assumptions of general relativity and are based on theories that are not accurate to the most recent scientific era, where they would have had to be correct. However–in the case of modern grand theory, the assumptions are less than satisfactory because of the lack of familiarity with what the science is being shown to explain and the fact that this science might have been wrong by now.
Because these issues are so complex in understanding the structure and principles of grand theories, grand theorist may very well appear to rely on an outdated or less than effective understanding of the complex structure of the universe.
The use of grand theorists is likely the main reason that grand theories have become a more popular use in health care
Metaparadigm ConceptsWatson’s four metaparadigms of nursing include person, environment, health, and nursing (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Jean Watson defines the four metaparadigms of nursing in her theory (McEwen & Wills, 2014). She describes the human being as “a valued person to be cared for, respected, nurtured, understood, and assisted” (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 185). Watson believes every individual is subjective and unique and cannot be treated as objects (Petiprin, 2016). She also feels a person functions as a whole, and the mind, body, and spirit should not be divided (Watsons Caring Theory, n.d.).
Watson believes that the environment plays a role in the nursing process. The environment affects both the nurse and the patient (Petiprin, 2016). Watson stresses the importance of establishing a patient’s environment that feels home-like (Wagner, 2010). Examples of this are controlling noise levels, offering warm blankets, adjusting the lighting, providing private rooms, helping with personal hygiene, etc. Providing a healing environment which is both physical and non-physical for patients creates space to generate their wholeness and healing (Wagner, 2010).
Jean Watson believes that health is more than caring for an illness. Health is viewed holistically and is structured around the mind, body, and soul (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Health is perceived by the patient and is influenced by their life experiences (Petiprin, 2016). According to Watson’s theory, it is also vital to stress illness prevention with total health (Petiprin, 2016).
Watson’s viewpoint on the metaparadigm of nursing is that it is essential that nurses and patients develop a relationship (Petiprin, 2016). Nursing is a providing caring, professional and thoughtful interactions while focusing on the person as a whole (“Watsons Caring Theory,” n.d.). According to Jean Watson’s theory, nursing is a holistic practice which ensures nurses will provide care to patients physically, mentally and spiritually (Petiprin, 2016).
Major ConceptsNumerous concepts are formulated from Jean Watson’s Caring Theory (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Significant elements of Watson’s therapy include caractive factors, transpersonal caring relationship, and caring occasion/caring moments (Wagner, 2010). Watson’s theory consists of