Running Head: THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARING

Watsons Theory of Transpersonal Caring

By
Ellenor Chance
Coppin State University, Nurs 620

Introduction

THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARE

Jean Watson, a renowned nursing author and philosopher, has been instrumental in
developing nursing as a profession. Her work emphasized nursing curriculum that focused on
human caring, health, and healing, which led to the development of a nursing doctorate degree
(Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 92). Watsons greatest contribution to nursing was the
development of Watsons Philosophy and Theory of Transpersonal Caring. This nursing theory
promotes therapeutic nurse-client relationships through the use of the caritas process as outlined
by Watson. In an attempt to understand the implications for transpersonal caring in nursing
practice, this paper will give description, analysis, and evaluation of Watsons Theory of
Transpersonal Caring.
Description
A description of Watsons theory reveals a nursing theory that is influenced by the
sciences and humanities, with emphases on development of a transpersonal caring relationship
between nurse and client through the use of the ten carative factors as the framework for the
science of caring in nursing. The purpose of the transpersonal caring theory as stated by Alligood
& Tomey (2010) is to help nurses develop a meaningful moral and philosophical base for
practice (p. 93). This idea is a major component in nursing practice because all nursing care is
provided with moral and ethical bases in mind. Nurses are expected to do good for all persons.
Watsons theory gives nurses the scientific bases for the concept of caring. The major concepts
outlining Watsons theory are the ten carative factors, the practical application of which is
referred to as the Caritas process. These curative factors serve as the framework for the process
of caring. These factors include: (1) formation of humanistic-ailtruisitic system of values which
involves practice of love and kindness;(2) instillation of faith-hope by being authentically present
and developing a deep belief system of self and one being cared for; (3) cultivation of sensitivity

THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARE

to self and others through cultivation of ones own spiritual practices and transpersonal self;(4)
development of helping-trusting, human caring relation by developing and sustaining a caring
trusting relationship; (5)Promotion and acceptance of expressions of positive and negative
feelings by supporting these feelings with deeper spirit in self and the patient ;(6) Systematic use
of a creative problem solving caring process by creative use of self and all knowing as part of
the caring process; (7) Promotion of transpersonal teaching-learning through engagement in
genuine teaching-learning experiences; (8) Provision of a supportive protective or corrective
mental , physical, societal, and spiritual environment by promoting a caring healing environment
at all levels; (9) Assistance with gratification and human needs by assisting with basic human
needs with a caring consciousness ; and, (10) for existential-phenomenological spiritual forces
by acknowledging ones own spiritual existential dimensions life and death as well as the
patients (Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 97).
Watsons theory of Transpersonal Caring was founded on some basic assumptions that
underline the caring process. The first assumption states that the caring will of the nurse affirms
the spiritual significance of the patient while seeking to sustain caring in the midst of threat
(Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 97). Another assumption asserts that the nurse seeks to connect
with the patient through genuine presence and being centered in the caring moment. This is
manifested by the nurses verbal and nonverbal cues. The caring- healing modalities within the
context of transpersonal caring promotes healing and wholeness through the release of
disharmony. In this assumption, the nurse helps the patient access the healer within. Practicing
the caring process of nursing is advanced and requires ongoing personal and professional
development coupled with spiritual and personal growth. This allows the nurse to enter a deeper
level of professional practice. The last assumption of Watsons model states that the nurses past

THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARE

and previous experiences are valuable teachers in practicing the caring process and that
continuous growth for developing and maturing within a transpersonal caring model is ongoing.
The context for the use of Watsons theory is general and does not provide a specific
context for its use. Therefore, this theory may be applied to any nurse patient relationship and is
used universally to promote therapeutic relationships between the nurse and patient. While
describing how a patient maintains health or dies a peaceful death, Watsons theory outlines a
generic contextual framework in application of interpersonal caring and the caring process.
Analysis
In analysis, Watsons theory explores the relationship of the ten curative factors of
transpersonal caring and nursing practice. Alligood & Toomey (2010) reports that, Watson
draws on a number of disciplines to formulate her theory (p. 101). Watson gives sophisticated
abstract definitions for the ten curative factors, allowing for a wide spectrum of personal
interpretation. Moreover, concepts in Watsons theory do not provide concrete instructions on
developing a caring relationship; the concepts are therefore not operationally defined.
Watsons abstractly uses the nurse, personhood, health, and the environment to link the
concepts in her theory. She states that the nurse must go beyond the technical and procedural
aspects of nursing to its core ( Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 98) . The core is identified as the
aspects included in the transpersonal caring process. This idea links the process of the nurse
joining the sciences (techniques and procedures) with the humanities (transpersonal caring
process). The person, as stated by Alligood & Tomey (2010), is viewed as unity of mind, body,
spirit, and nature that is not confined by objective time and space ( p. 99). The person links
Watsons idea of the connectedness of all things. Health is defined by Watson as unity and

THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARE

harmony with in the mind, body, and soul, while disease is described as disharmony within the
person. The nurse in Watsons theory uses the transpersonal caring process to promote unity
(health) of the patient by helping the patient release disharmony (illness). According to Alligood
& Tomey ( 2010), Watsons healing spaces can be used to transcend illness, pain, and suffering
since the person and environment are connected (p. 99) . Watson did not provide for review a
diagram or model for visual display.
Evaluation
Watsons theory provides professional nurses with a holistic way of providing sound
patient care with caring attitudes and behaviors as the driving force of the nurses actions. It
embodies concepts, that when understood and adhered to effectively have the power to uplift
nursing, professionally. The American Nurses Association (2010) states that, caring is central to
the practice of nursing, and that the nurses promote healing and health in a way that builds a
relationship of caring for individuals, families, and the population (p.4). This tenant of nursing
practice makes caring a standard of nursing practice that the nursing must practice or else
penalties may ensue.
In addition to being congruent with standards of practice, the theory of transpersonal
caring is also congruent with advances in nursing practice. Watson (2009) published an article
that highlights the use of transpersonal caring in clinical practice. It was noted that those
facilities aspiring to achieve deeper level of patient caring are most apt to use the theory of
transpersonal caring (Watson, 2009, p. 689). Therefore the Caritas Care model is used widely to
help hospitals achieve magnet status. Attainment of magnet status is a prestigious title for
professional nurses working in hospital settings; it exemplifies the delivery of outstanding

THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARE

nursing care. Likewise, promoting health and healing through caring relationships advances
nurses practice because the emphasis is taken away from being strictly managers of patients
health to being the patients resource for health promotion. Clinical practices such as these keep
nurses as integral components of the health care and delivery system.
Watsons theory is used widely in research to assess the phenomenon of caring in
different populations allowing it to remain socially and culturally relevant. Pipe and Bortz
(2009) conducted a study that examined nursing administrators use of mindful leadership as a
healing practice within the health care organization. The ten caritas factors were used as the
framework for this study. They found that nurse-to-nurse caring would benefit administrators,
staff, and the organization collectively. Noel (2010) researched the use of the transpersonal care
model in occupational health nursing as a possible framework for the field. He concluded that
using this model would be relevant for the discipline in outlining caring behaviors. Meyer (2011)
conducted a study to explore the experience of pediatric nurses caring for dying children. The
themes of the experiences were then compared to Caritas Processes to assess for commonalities.
She found that many nurses performed functions of the model although they were unaware of
this. These uses of Watsons theory give nurses insight and the ability to practice with an
understanding of the impact that caring behaviors have on the workplace, self, and others. This is
socially and culturally relevant because nurses care for a diverse patient population. Watsons
theory prepares nurses to have a human connection and caring relationship with anyone
regardless of the socioeconomic status or cultural background.
In Conclusion, although Watsons theory was conceptualized years ago, it has evolved
with the profession remaining congruent with nursing standards and advances in nursing
practice. This theory provides both social and cultural relevancy to the profession. The use of

THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARE

Watsons theory in research to assess the phenomenon of caring, in education to teach caring
behaviors to baccalaureate and graduate students, and in clinical practice as a nursing model of
care, makes it useful and important to the discipline. The transpersonal caring theory provides
the science that nurses base the art of caring on. This body of knowledge helps to advance the
discipline of nursing and solidify nursings status as a profession.

THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARE

References
Alligood, R, M., & Tomey, A, M. (2010). Jean watson, In (Eds.). Alexopoudoulous, Y and
Bays, H. Nurisng theories.(pp 91-112). 5th ed. Maryland Heights, Missouri: Mosby
Elsevier
American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing practice. Scope and practice in nursing. 2ed
(pp. 4). Silver Spring, Maryland: Nursing books. Org. Retrieved from:
http://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=N6F7_zSOQccC&oi=fnd&pg=PT4&dq=nursing+standards&ots=6hme5
UXyBv&sig=FP78K4nedW03-x6Qw2gs2owzM-c#v=onepage&q=nursing
%20standards&f=false
Meyer, L, R. (2011). The experience of pediatric intensive care nurses caring for dying children.
Azusa Pacific University. 169. Retrieved from:http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?
Ver=1&Exp=01-15-2017&FMT=7&DID=2443999781&RQT=309&attempt=1&cfc=1
Noel, D., L. (2010). Occupational health nursing practice through the human caring lens.
AAOHN
Journal. 58(1), 17-26. Retrieved from:
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
sid=a47fe53e-2c73-4f33-967d-3ee5ad2dcdf7%40sessionmgr111&vid=4&hid=112
Pipe, T, B., & Bortz, J., J. (2009). Mindful leadership as a healthy practice: Nurturing self to
serve

THEORY OF TRANSPERSONAL CARE

others. International Journal of Health Caring. 13(2), 34-37. Retrieved from:

http://content.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/pdf23_24/pdf/2009/GBD/01Jun09
/41994721.pdf?
T=P&P=AN&K=2010368642&S=R&D=rzh&EbscoContent=dGJyMMTo50SeqK44yNf
sOLCmr0qep7VSr6q4TLKWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMOrf4H3w6vdT69fnhrnb
5ofx6gAA
Watson, J. ( 2009). Caring science and human caring theory: Transforming personal and
professional practices of nursing and health care. JHHSA 647-687. Retrieved from:
http://mhc.bytepro.net/munson/health_education/classes_programs/ictphandouts/TransformingPersonalAndProfessionalPractices.pdf