Watson Caring Science Institute

Core Concepts of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science The Core Priniciples/Practices: Evolving From Carative to Caritas (Watson, 2008, p. 34)

 Practice of loving-kindness and equanimity

 Authentic presence: enabling deep belief of other (patient, colleague, family, etc.)

 Cultivation of one’s own spiritual practice toward wholeness of mind/body/spirit—beyond ego

 “Being” the caring-healing environment

 Allowing miracles (openness to the unexpected and inexplicable life events) Core Concepts of the Theory:

 A relational caring for self and others based on a moral/ethical/philosophical foundation of love and values

 Transpersonal caring relationship (going beyond ego to higher “spiritual” caring created by “Caring Moments”)  Moral commitment to protect and enhance human dignity  Respect/”love” for the person—honoring his/her needs, wishes, routines, and rituals  Caring Consciousness of self as person/nurse and other as person—connection as

human beings  Heart-centered/healing caring based on practicing and honoring wholeness of mind-

body-spirit in self and each other  Inner harmony (equanimity)—maintaining balance  Intention of “doing” for another and “being” with another who is in need (What (skills)

you do and how (caring conscious intention) you do it.)  “Authentic Presence” (honoring/connecting human to human)

 Caring Occasion/Caring Moment: Heart-centered Encounters with another person When two people, each with their own “phenomenal field”/background come together in a human-to-human transaction that is meaningful, authentic, intentional, honoring the person, and sharing human experience that expands each person’s worldview and spirit leading to new discovery of self and other and new life possibilities.

 Multiple ways of knowing (through science, art, aesthetic, ethical, intuitive, personal, cultural, spiritual)

 Reflective/meditative approach (increasing consciousness and presence to the humanism of self and other) (see Cara, C. (2003). A Pragmatic View of Jean Watson’s Caring Theory, www.humancaring.org (under “continuing education)  Understanding self through reflection/meditation (journaling, the arts, meditation, etc.)

o What is the meaning of caring for the person/families/myself? o How do I express my caring consciousness and commitment to my patients/clients? To

colleagues? To the institution? To the community and larger world? o How do I define self, nurse, person, environment, health/healing, and nursing? o How do I make a difference in people’s life and suffering? o How do I increase the quality of people’s healing and dying process? o How can I be informed by the clinical caritas processes in my practice? o How can I be inspired by Watson’s caring theory in my practice?

Page 2 © 2010 Watson Caring Science Institute Assembled by A.L. Wagner

 Understanding the patient/client/family as a person: Inviting story (Tell me about yourself, your life experiences, your feelings, your bodily sensations, your goals and expectations, your culture, etc., so I may honor you and your healing pathway.)

 Understanding the patient/client’s health needs: o Tell me about your health? What is it like to be in your situation? o Tell me how you perceive yourself? What are your health priorities? o How do you envision your life? o What is the meaning of healing for you?

 Caring is inclusive, circular, and expansive: Caring for self, caring for each other, caring for patients/clients/families, caring for the environment/nature and the universe.

 Caring changes self, others, and the culture of groups/environments.

 Watson’s 10 Carative Factors redefined as Caritas Processes: Guidelines for putting Love/Heart-Centered Caring practice into action:

1. Practicing loving-kindness and equanimity within context of caring consciousness.

2. Being authentically present and enabling, and sustaining the deep belief system and

subjective life world of self and one-being cared for.