Introduction
The objective of this essay is to discuss the term caring. We will see that there are many different meanings, contexts and perspectives and some characteristics of caring. There are various models that have been researched on the term caring. The author outlines that caring is shared by all health care professionals not just in nursing. It is also believed to be the main objective and uniting essential of nursing.
Caring
The term caring is difficult to define. It is portrayed as indefinite, speculative, imperceptible and unseen in nursing practice (Chiovitti, 2008). Caring has various contexts and perceptions. There are many characteristics of care. These include patience, honesty, sensitivity, dedication, skills, autonomy and trust. Caring is seen as a whole with the meaning of health. From research, there is a recognisable necessity for further theory expansion and research (Brilowski and Wendler, 2005). Brilowski and Wendler (2005) stated that “[there is] a tendency for authors to discuss caring but not define it”.
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It is seen as an effortless commitment, not a premeditated practice (Chiovitti, 2008). However, this is argued as time is of the essence in nursing practice. Nurses have very little time to make a patient feel ‘cared about’ (Corbin, 2008). In nursing practice, time is taken up by caring for the patient. A holistic approach to nursing is essential to make a patient feel cared about. Caring is at its best when there is a mixture of who the nurse is and what they do. In nursing practice, caring entails “knowing that”, not just “knowing how” (Corbin, 2008). To care for a patient at one’s best, you need to understand the other needs of the patient. There-fore, caring is not just a matter of good intentions or warm
Leo Buscaglia once said, “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” In the field of nursing, this concept could not be illustrated more profoundly. The trait of caring within nursing is arguably the most important trait that a nurse could possess. It can be defined in various ways, but to me, caring is the act of being moved or compelled to action by feelings of compassion, empathy, sympathy, anger, intention, sadness, fear, happiness, protection, enlightenment, or love in light of another human being. There are many aspects to the term “caring”. It is an ever-present shape shifter, swiftly
Caring is the “central theme and core of nursing caring tapestry” (Otterbein University, 2009, p. 2). When developing caring characteristics as a nurse and caring interventions, this in return helps
The phenomenon of interest has been identified as the expressions of caring by nurses on acute care general surgical wards (Enns, C., Gregory, D., 2007). This problem statement was addressed promptly and clearly in the article. The caring research that has been obtained in other studies has yielded inconsistent results due to the varying definitions of caring. Numerous research has been done on the phenomenon of caring by nurses specializing in several areas but the population of surgical nurses has been “relatively neglected in caring research” (Enns, 2007). Caring is a phenomenon that has been universal throughout nursing, it is a trend that will forever be current due to the ever changing scope of nursing. Increasing demands on nursing staff and the acuity of the patients causes stressors to the “surgical ward environment (and) affect nurses’ ability to provide ideal care” (Enns, 2007). The aim of this report is to answer the question “What are the expressions of caring from a surgical nurses’ perspective?” (Enns, 2007). An appropriate qualitative study has been chosen because “...
Caring is the biggest aspect in the nursing field. Aspiring nurses choose to become nurses because they want to care for people in ways that most professions cannot do. Without caring nursing would not be the field it is today. The culture of caring involves intervening programs that help to build caring behaviors among nurses. As nurses become stressed and become down on their life it has shown that caring for oneself before others is key in caring for patients. Lastly, throughout the years many theorists have proven that caring has come from many concepts and ideas that relate directly to ICU nursing.
In conclusion, Jean Watson’s theory of caring, a middle-range theory, provides essential framework and guidelines in nursing shortage problem. Nurses who exposed to caring theory have moral and ethical obligations to care for others during challenging situations. Patients, families and other professionals depend on nursing profession, their expertise and knowledge for best patient
The Theory of Human Caring was initialy based on data about variety of aspects of caring, collected through open – ended quistionnaire. The purpose of this research was to evaluate different points of view, expressed by both the clients and registered nurses. In addition to this data, Watson’s theory uses broadly recognized work from other disciplines. Specific philosophers cited by Watson, as sources are Rogers, Whitehead, Gadow, Yalom etc. Furthermore, she also recognises the contribution of the east...
When I became a nurse, in my heart, I knew that I was a caring person; however, I did not have a caring theory driving my practice. After studying Watson’s Human Caring Science Theory, the theory is consistent with my values, which emphasizes a holistic approach with mind, body, and spirit through a caring nurse patient relationship in an environment that promotes healing, comfort, and dignity. Human Caring Science gives the privilege of viewing human life with wonder, respect, and appreciates small and large miracles, which allows the inner world of the patient and nurse to come together in a unique human relationship, in the here and now moment (Watson, 2012, p. 24).
Two concepts at the heart of nursing are comfort and caring. The Meriam Webster dictionary defines comfort as easing grief or trouble, as well as giving hope or strength. The definition of caring is showing or feeling concern for others. Theorists Jean Watson and Katharine Kolcaba seek to enhance nurses understanding of caring and comforting patients through their respective theories. This paper will discuss their theories using a stepwise approach.
Caring can be described in many different ways. One demonstration of caring is when a nurse at a hospital helps those who are physically ill become well again. Caring also practices involvement in the connection, mutual recognition and involvement between nurse and client. "The Community Health Nursing: Caring in Action” (1999) defines “those assistive, enabling, supportive, or facilitative behaviors toward or for another individual or group to promote health, prevent disease, and facilitate healing”(p.6). Another definition from another author such as (Harkreader, 2000) wrote, sees caring as a universal behaviour observed in human beings and influenced by Society, culture, values and gender”(p.1450). Thus, nurses would certainly agree that caring is important in everyday life.
Historically in most cultures across the world, parents have always been seen as the ones who have the responsibility of disciplining their children and therefore they have the right to spank them when they feel it is appropriate for disciplinary purposes. Spanking is therefore an age old practice that has been used to ensure that children can grow up in an upright manner and in line with the societal expectations and norms. During the early years, it was the norm that rearing a child involved the focus on ensuring they grow up with discipline and that children should not be spoilt by soothing them when they cry for example when they have been disciplined It is however important to note that this view saw significant changes during the 1950s and 60s after a publication by Spock in 1946 which contained arguments against spanking and urged the
In this essay we are going to explore the connection between professional nursing practice and professional caring. I will outline the terms of professional nursing practice and what makes nursing a profession? I will describe the term of professional caring and the connection to the nursing practice and discuss the dilemma of care and cure. And also determine the importance of both in professional nursing practice.
This theory “Focuses on the human component of caring and the moment-to-moment encounters between the one who is caring and the one who is being cared for, especially the caring activities by nurses as they interact with others” (Kearney-Nunnery, 2016, p. 49). Healthcare systems have been focusing more on curing than caring. The costs of non-caring are quality, safety and medical errors. Inadequate staffing further distances the relationship between nursing and patients. When the patient feels like an object, they become dissatisfied (Pajnkihar et al., 2017). If management can apply a caring approach to administration, they will see the benefits of nurses spending more time with patients. This restores nursing to promote wholeness and healing. Focusing on a caring approach promotes adequate staffing to facilitate the nurse patient
The importance of caring within the field of nursing is significant in the overall health outcome of a patient. Caring is important for nurses to display empathy, support, and confidence, when establishing a relationship with a patient. The idea of caring is crucial when offering care to a patient and determining a care plan that is achievable. The role a nurse displays helps patients and families achieve a positive outcome. Nursing is centered on the concept of caring and the art it exhibits when achieving total human care.
What is caring? In any healthcare profession caring is an important concept, but what does it really mean to care? Opinions on the meaning of caring vary depending on the person and the situation. It seems that most people think of caring differently than nurses do, and nurses think of caring differently than other healthcare workers. Which arises another question, is caring in nursing different than other healthcare disciplines?
One can find caring practices in many aspects of human life. Usually parents care for their young children, and children care for their older parents, husbands and wives care for their spouses, etc. In the professional scope, usually healthcare professionals associated with care. The foundation of nursing practice is an idea of caring. “Caring is important for many reasons, but is considered crucial for quality healthcare” (Tanking, 2010, p.3). So, what does caring actually mean?