Brief Jean Watson Summary

The theory of human caring was developed by Jean Watson a Nursing instructor at Colorado University between1975-1979. The theory of human caring is a middle range theory that concentrates on relating to human existence. The caring theory focuses not only about caring for the patient's health, but also their mind, body, and spirit. Watson described her model as a model of caring that includes both art and science. The human caring theory offers a platform for the nurse to combine traditional medicine with medicine for mind, body, and spirit (Watson, 2008).

Watson states that her theory is a dynamic one that should modified due to the constant changes in nurse practice and the dynamics of human phenomena. She elaborates by stating "caring science goes beyond an intellectualization of the topic, "it invites us into a timeless; yet, timely space to revisit the perennial phenomenon of the human condition" (Watson, 2008). Applying concepts such as love, faith, trust, and spirituality to nursing care can help distinguish the concept of human caring (Watson, 2008). The Theory of Human Caring is comprised of 4 major conceptual elements: clinical caritas processes, transpersonal caring relationships, caring moment/caring occasion and caring (healing) consciousness. The clinical caritas processes emerges from Watson's own caritas factors that involved the promotion of faith, trust, love, hope, caring, selflessness, spirituality, energy, and understanding.

References:

Watson, J. (2008). Social justice and human caring: A model of caring sciences as a hopeful paradigm for moral justice for humanity. Creative Nursing. 14(2).