Nursing Concept Analysis: Caring - Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring, Exams of Nursing

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A Nursing Concept Analysis: Caring Ashley T. Sabb RN, BSN

February 1, 2016 Chamberlain College of Nursing

A Nursing Concept Analysis: Caring

Introduction

Concept analysis is meant to provide an in-depth account of a particular phenomenon attributing it to theory and practice in the nursing profession. On that note, this theory analysis focusses on the Jean Watson’s ‘Theory of Human Caring’, particularly on the concept of care, rather caring that nurses provide to patients. Patient care is essential in the nursing profession as it allows for the facilitation of recovery. In that respect, caring is a unique attribute that nurses provide in the form of a service to their patient. The subsequent sections of this analysis include; definition, concept comparison, Literature review, and the different cases sections. Further, that personal touch that the nurse gives to the patient could mean the difference between deterioration of health and recovery.

Definition

Care is defined simply as a concern, aid, and assistance to meet a person’s needs who would otherwise not be able to reach or find it difficult to do so (Lachman, 2012). The Free Dictionary’s definition of the term care is that is it “a feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others; showing or having compassion” (The Free Dictionary, 2016). According to Jean Watson’s theory, caring is the premise on which nurses develop relationships with their patients that help them on their way to recovery. Caring goes beyond mere treatment, rather it fosters understanding, relieves suffering, and enhances the overall well-being of the patient. Other than the physical needs for treatment care also tends to psychological and spiritual needs of the patient that improves the pace of recovery (Watson, 2007).

2011). Examples include relationship, action, attitude, acceptance and variability. Three attributes that emerged within the model case are relationship, action and attitude.

Relationship refers to having meaningful relationships. Relationships are considered the basis of nursing and a moral imperative of entering into a relationship with the patient. The relationship starts when the nurse identifies a patient need and is motivated to help. Trust, intimacy and responsibility play an essential role in a professional caring relationship as nurses develop a trusting relationship (DalPezzo, 2009). Ami realized that Mr. John would often call her to voice his concerns. Though she was busy, she still listened and also reminded him of his treatment plan. This would have given him a sense of comfort. Nurse Ami had also contemplated having Mr. John in the open ward instead of the side room which she thought would allow for better care and treatment. Mr. John stated that he preferred the privacy of the side room and Ami ensured the buzzer was within his reach.

Action refers to voluntary act that shows itself externally or that is completed internally. Professional caring consists of different actions that are aimed at helping the patient. The nurse can decide to be with the patient. The actions result from the nurse’s perception of the patient needs. The nurse is motivated to act so as to meet the patient needs (DalPezzo, 2009). While in the emergency department, Mr. John had an angina attack. Ami was quick to administer his prescribed medication and also explained to his wife that placing the medication under his tongue would give him quick relief.

Attitude refers to a negative or positive feeling towards a person or group. The nurse should show a positive attitude when caring for the patient in order to be considered caring. The nurses should be strong, courageous and have love, peace and joy to caring. The nurses should

be attentive, open, good listener, understanding, respectful and committed (DalPezzo, 2009). During Mr. John’s visit, Ami was attentive, open and understanding. This was seen where she had asked Mr. John if he needed any additional help and asked whether she could telephone his common-law wife to ask her to come see him. Ami was also strong and courageous. Although she knew about the hospital rules on minors visiting, she still queried the matter with her supervisor.

Antecedents and Consequences

Antecedents are those incidents that should come prior to the occurrence of the concept.

They mainly occur before the concept because they are imperative in improving the central attributes of the concept. For the concept of caring to occur, the nurses in the hospital must comprehend the need to help and the requirements needed to show care. An antecedent in the concept is awareness of the other needs that are required by the casualty patients. The awareness of other’s needs for help is fundamental because some patients present with physical, psychological or emotional needs in order for caring to occur (Finfgield-Connett, 2008).

If the concept of caring occurs as expected, there are consequences that are easily experienced. These are incidents that occur after the concept of caring has taken place effectively. Whenever, the nursing practitioners practice the concept of caring, several consequences must be experienced and ultimately, patients will get healing from the tender care that they will get from the nurse. They also need to be satisfied by the tender care and prove researches right and lastly, the patients should experience growth from the concept of caring.

Empirical Referents

Empirical referents mainly gauge and approve the availability of the concept in real life. It described as central groups or classes of specific incidences that their presence and subsistence show the possibility of the concept of caring itself (Avant & Walker, 2011). The Caring Assessment Report Evaluation Q-Sort, commonly known as CARE-Q is a tool frequently used for assessing and measuring caring (Watson, 2009, p. 41). To measure and evaluate the presence or absence of the defining attributes of caring which includes relationship, action and attitude the following criteria must be present.

The nurse must develop a trusting-relationship by sitting and talking with the patient, encourage the patient by identifying positive elements related to the condition or treatment and continues to show interest in the patient even though a crisis or critical phase has passed, and help the patient to clarify is feelings in regards to his/her disease or treatment (Watson, 2009). When displaying action, the caregiver must be accessible and promote comfort while providing care. Lastly, the caregiver must have a positive attitude when caring, behaving in a professional manner, having the patient as priority and remaining calm during life threatening situations (Watson, 2009).

Model Cases

Critical thinking is the disciplined, intellectual process of applying skillful reasoning as a guide to belief or action. Critical thinking skills are essential in nursing because they are the

basis for learning to prioritize and make decisions. Decisions were made with the use of critical thinking elements and as a result, the patient was cared for effectively (Ozkahraman and

highlights problems and gathers and assesses relevant information by being inquisitive while providing care. While caring for Mr. John, Ami detected that he had psychological needs and even thought about moving him from the side room to the open ward for closer monitoring while caring for other patients, which she thought would allow for better care and treatment (Matchett, 2009). Ami was also able to administer medication when Mr. John had an angina attack, using evidence-based knowledge acquired by her analycity.

Alternative

Cases

Borderline

In the absence of nursing care, patients lack the psychological and social support that is necessary to boost their mood. In a state of demoralized and demotivated mood, the pace of recovery slows down, hence, prolonging the patient’s state of ailment.

Contrary Case

Where nurses do not treat patients with care rather they mishandle patients, the result is such that the patients undergo stressful situations. In that respect, the stress developed only serves to aggravate further the poor health status of the patient. In that respect, the patient finds it quite difficult to recover. Simply put, mistreatment of patients by nurses would simply slow down the pace to their recovery.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the discussion has delved into the nursing concept of care analyzing the role of the nurse in providing patients more than just treatment services. Such include psychological and social support which then enhance the pace towards recovery. What is more, the discussion

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