GRAND NURSING THEORIST

GRAND NURSING THEORIST

There are four grand nursing theorists; they include Peplau, Jean Watson, Virginia Henderson, and Peplau. Grand nursing theories contain perspective on how nurses can take better care of patients (Alligood 2017). In the theories, there are variances on the principles proposed by the theorist. Comparatively some theories appear to be better than the others in different situations of applicability.

In my view, the theory proposed by Watson’s is universally applicable in all cultures and to patients with all care needs. Watson’s theory is known as the caring theory. Watson based his Theory upon ten curative factors. The factors include Loving-kindness, in which Watson proposed that nurses should show equitable love and care to all patients. Regardless of the patient’s form of aliments, cultural orientation or religious beliefs.

Further, Watson proposed that nurses when attending to patients they should be authentically present. The concept of the authenticity of presence denotes that when nurses are physically present with their patients they should genuinely attend to patient’s needs with responsiveness and concern. The third factor Watson proposed in his theory is that nurses should allow patients to cultivate their spiritual practices. In this factor, Watson proposes that nurses should allow room for different beliefs and religious practices from patients, the practices are dependent upon the patient’s transpersonal self.

Furthermore, Watson proposes that nurses need to develop a relationship with patients, relationships that are based upon trust, care, and authenticity. When there is a trustful relationship between patients and Nurses, possible friction between the two parties is reduced (Ziegler 2005). The fifth factor Watson proposed was that nurses need to support feelings patients express. Nurses need to show empathy and care when responding to patient’s feelings. The patient’s feelings could be positive and at times negative.

Additionally, nurses need to use nursing artistry practices to help improve both the emotional and health challenges of patients.  The seventh care factor proposed by Watson is that nurses should engage in continuous learning practices. The effort to engage in continuous learning would greatly help nurses to understand diverse and complex patient’s needs. Further nurses should help create an environment that promotes healing, an atmosphere whereby peace and comfort are at the optimum. An environment of peace would help patients to be calm and this has a great chance of increasing a patient’s speed of healing. The ninth factor proposed by warren was that nurses need to assist with the basic requirements of patients (Ryan 2005). The aspect of administering patients with basic needs increases the patient’s wholeness of body, soul, and spirit. Lastly, Watson proposed that caregivers should be open to miracles both miracles of life and death.

The reason why I choose Watson’s theory is that it comprehensively addresses the purpose of the nursing career. The theory outlines nursing practices as a mission to understand the relationship among diseases, and human characteristics rather than focus on the curing of illness alone. Watson’s theory influences nursing practice today by proposing four fundamental factors in the nursing profession. The factors include the development of trustful relationships between nurses and patients, support for patient’s feelings, allowing for the cultivation of one’s spiritual practices and creative use of artistry of caring-health practices. In practice of my profession, I can use this theory in ensuring a good patient healing atmosphere and in enhancing my understanding of the fact that caring is an all-important component of nursing.

In conclusion, Watson’s theory reminds us that a patient is not just their disease they are an accumulation of their culture, religion extra curriculum activity and work. As nursing professions, we need to consider all this while providing care to patients.

References

Alligood, M. R. (2017). Nursing Theorists and Their Work-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Ryan, L. (2005). The journey to integrate Watson’s caring theory with clinical practice. International Journal for Human Caring, 9(3), 26.

Ziegler, S. M. (2005). Theory-directed nursing practice. Springer Publishing Company.