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Holistic nursing theory of health
Application of core concepts of jean watson theory
Holistic nursing theory of health
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Jean Watson’s Holistic Nurse Caring Science Theory and Contribution to Nurse Leadership
Ruthann Jennings
Immaculata University
Abstract
Jean Watson’s holistic nursing theory led to the development and usage of Caring Science practices for nurses and nurse leaders. This theory has vastly improved medical care relations by guiding nurses and nurse leaders, towards more heart-centered and authentic interactions. Nurse leaders who apply Jean Watson’s holistic nurse theory to their leadership style are grounded, intentionally fit, and participate in self-care, resulting in better medical care experiences. Fortunately, Jean Watson’s contribution as a nurse leader comes at a time where the profession of nursing is plagued with shortages
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Nurses have the opportunity and luxury of performing their craft in various settings including field options such as acute care facility, medical offices, school systems, disaster or battle sites, assisted living care, home care settings, women and birthing centers, community programs, or clinic settings. Due to the variety of care required for all of these different areas of nursing, the nature of nursing often presents an obligation to adopt leadership qualities. Leadership as defined by Yoder-Wise (2015) is the use of personal traits to constructively and ethically influence patients, families, and staff through a process in which clinical and organizational outcomes are achieved through collective …show more content…
This TL style is passionate, charismatic, and able to motivate followers through individual consideration and intellectual stimulation (Yoder-Wise, 2015). JW also demonstrates the theory of HN through her research in the field of quantum physics, showing that the presence of the nurse has a caring and healing effect (Dossey, 2015). By exemplifying a passionate vision through extended exploration, JW has been able to validate a care practice based in physical scientific evidence which allows her to clearly communicate that the presence of the nurse at the bedside of a patient positively contributes to the healing process. JW’s research has given HN practices information needed to participate in a heart centered and self-care nursing specialty manner. The TL demonstrated by JW, guides nurses in the practice of HN and has created a change in the way a nurse delivers care to patients and has improved both the patient healing experience and nursing morale. Nurses are not asked to perform additional tasks, but to value their spiritual presence which is a presence of intention and grounded communication in an effort to improve patient healing and the overall nursing experience. JW’s alteration in the practice of HN is further demonstrated by how she promotes a relationship with HN practitioners without
Whitehead, D. K., Weiss, S. A., & Tappen, R. M. (2010). Essentials of nursing leadership and
Huber, D. (2010). Leadership and Nursing Care Management (4th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
Every person’s needs must be recognized, respected, and filled if he or she must attain wholeness. The environment must attuned to that wholeness for healing to occur. Healing must be total or holistic if health must be restored or maintained. And a nurse-patient relationship is the very foundation of nursing (Conway et al 2011; Johnson, 2011). The Theory recognizes a person’s needs above all. It sets up the conducive environment to healing. It addresses and works on the restoration and maintenance of total health rather than only specific parts or aspect of the patient’s body or personality. And these are possible only through a positive healing relationship between the patient and the nurse (Conway et al, Johnson).
Watson first published her theory of caring in 1979 in a book titled, Nursing: Human Science and Caring. Watson and other researchers have built upon this theory and caring theory should continually be evolving as the delivery of patient care evolves. This theory focuses on care between the nurse and the patient. This interaction is defined as setting mutual tasks, how a spiritual force may help the interaction and when caring in the moment of true healing may occur. When the nurse and patient are on the same level spiritually self-awareness and self-discovery occur. There are ten themes identified in this article essential to caring in
In healthcare it is very important to have strong leaders, especially in the nursing profession. A nurse leader typically uses several styles of leadership depending on the situation presented; this is known as situational leadership. It is important that the professional nurse choose the right style of leadership for any given situation to ensure their employees are performing at their highest potential. Depending on which leadership style a nurse leader uses, it can affect staff retention and the morale of the employees as well as nurse job satisfaction (Azaare & Gross, 2011.) “Nursing leaders have the responsibility to create and maintain a work environment which not only promotes positive patient outcomes but also positively influences teams and individual nurses” (Malloy & Penprase, 2010.) Let’s explore two different leadership styles and discuss how they can enhance or diminish the nursing process.
It reminds us that every patient is human, in some type of crisis, vulnerable to the environment, deserves respect, and is in need of skilled/knowledgeable nursing care. A nu...
Leadership is defined by Northouse (2013) as a transactional experience between persons whereby one individual influences a group of individuals who have a mutual goal. Leaders may hold authority attributed to them by the group, substantiated by how they are regarded, whether or not they have positional authority. In contrast to management, where the goal is to provide order through control, leadership is concerned with producing change through transformation and practical adjustments (Northouse, 2013). Because of the nature of nursing, its obligation to promoting health and healing of people, nursing leadership concentrates change efforts based on human needs and concurrently ponders the needs of administrations largely because they understand the interrelatedness of the two influences.
When someone hears holistic nursing their mind may immediately jump to a form of hippie nursing with little to none scientific background or accuracy in the quality of care. This belief however is extremely inaccurate as to what holistic nursing really is. Holistic care can be defined as to when the nurse honors the patient’s wishes and takes into consideration the social, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the patient’s life (American Holistic Nurses Association, n.d.). Holistic nursing is growing in popularity amongst patients because of its open communication between nurse and patient, its unique approach to health and healing, as well as the comprehensive care it can provide.
Marquis describes a leader as the motivation and the leading of the performance. Leader’s uniqueness and abilities are what make others to need to take after his or her way (2009 p.32). First, a leader must understand the self and others as the beginning in leading. As Kouzes and Posner stated “self-discovery and self-awareness are critical to developing the capacity to lead. And personal reflection and analysis of one’s own leadership behaviors are core components in that process” (2011, p. 13). In health care, the nursing leaders hold a vital role in inspiring, empowering, coaching, and supporting the nursing profession to engage with today 's changes in the healthcare. Importantly, the nursing leader’s priority is to advocate for the patients’ care by role modeling to the team on delivering a safe and quality care. Nursing leader who strives effectiveness in responding to challenges, will assess personal leadership style, personality traits and leadership competencies. Thus, self-reflection on leadership is the base for the
One must have the full desire to help and care for people in order to have an enjoyable career as a nurse. Nurses are known for the care and compassion shown to the patients and this is comforting for both patients and their families. Caring for a patient can raise their spirits and can inspire a better outlook on their situation. As a nurse, I want to care for all my patients with the hope of improving their health and outlook on their life. I chose Jean Watson because she understands that caring is the core of nursing and believes caring promotes a better health than only performing medical care. She was the first grand theorist that focused on the aspect of caring for the patient while also caring for yourself as the nurse. Watson’s theory
The Philosophy Behind the Theory of Human Caring: Dr. Jean Watson’s Perspective on Nursing Practice The realm of healthcare engages endless propositions in the formation of patient care. These ideas can be molded by distinguished individuals to form applicable theories to implement into practice. Specifically, in nursing, these theories act as a framework for providing care. One esteemed theorist, Dr. Jean Watson, developed a series of thoughts now known as the Theory of Human Caring.
The two people create a human transaction that is unique, special and of value to both parties. This is the ultimate platform to foster a healing environment that is created on multi-levels. Not just physical level is this created but the non-physical, and consciousness. Openness and sharing add to the foundation of this relationship that nurtures not only the patient but the nurse as well. Potentiated are the beauty, dignity, wholeness and peace of the encounter (Watson, 2008).
In today’s society, leadership is a common yet useful trait used in every aspect of life and how we use this trait depends on our role. What defines leadership is when someone has the capability to lead an organization or a group of people. There are many examples that display a great sense of leadership such being an educator in health, a parent to their child, or even a nurse. In the medical field, leadership is highly used among nurses, doctors, nurse managers, director of nursing, and even the vice president of patient care services. Among the many positions in the nursing field, one who is a nurse manager shows great leadership. The reason why nurse manager plays an important role in patient care is because it is known to be the most difficult position. As a nurse manager, one must deal with many patient care issues, relationships with medical staff, staff concerns, supplies, as well as maintaining work-life balance. Also, a nurse manager represents leadership by being accountable for the many responsibilities he or she holds. Furthermore, this position is a collaborative yet vital role because they provide the connection between nursing staff and higher level superiors, as well as giving direction and organization to accomplish tasks and goals. In addition, nurse managers provide nurse-patient ratios and the amount of workload nursing staff has. It is their responsibility to make sure that nursing staff is productive and well balanced between their work and personal lives.
Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring Samantha Jones, RN Hannibal-LaGrange University Abstract Keywords: Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring was developed while she was teaching at the University of Colorado. It is based on her own views of nursing, combined with her doctoral studies in psychology. Her hope was to focus nursing as its own distinct discipline in the health profession, with its own values, knowledge, and mission to society. Throughout her work, Watson indicates that all humans have a desire to give and receive care, where nursing holds the essence of this basic need.
Watson’s theory was built on the earlier values of nursing and emphasized caring, which is a core principal of what the profession of nursing was founded on (Sitzman, 2007). The concept of caring reflects a supportive, nonjudgmental, respectful, and healing environment for the patient and the nurse (Caring Science Theory & Research, 2015). According to Watson’s theory, caring is not only physical but spiritual, where the nurse and patient form a transpersonal caring relationship (Caring Science Theory & Research, 2015). In this relationship, the nurse connects the patient’s current health status to their spiritual well-being and mind set (Sitzman,