Jean Watson’s

Theory of Caring

Joel George, Shahannah Miranda, Kristy

Lopez, and Bibin Abraham
 Theory in Our Words
• Caring:
– Is the essence of nursing
– Compliments “curative medicine”
– Gives nursing unique standing
– Relationship occurs when the nurse and patient
come together
• Transpersonal moment
• Results in transcendence, harmony & healing.
Watson’s theory and the
four major concepts
1. Human being
She adopts a view of the human being as:
“….. a valued person in and of him or herself
to be cared for, respected, nurtured,
understood and assisted; in general a
philosophical view of a person as a fully
functional integrated self. He, human is
viewed as greater than and different from,
the sum of his or her parts”.
•
Watson’s theory and the
four major concepts
2. Health
• Watson believes that there are other factors
that are needed to be included in the WHO
definition of health. She adds the following
three elements:
• A high level of overall physical, mental and
social functioning
• A general adaptive-maintenance level of
daily functioning
• The absence of illness (or the presence of
efforts that leads its absence)
Watson’s theory and the
four major concepts
3. Environment/society
• According to Watson caring (and
nursing) has existed in every society. A
caring attitude is not transmitted from
generation to generation. It is
transmitted by the culture of the
profession as a unique way of coping
with its environment.
Watson’s theory and the
four major concepts
4. Nursing
• According to Watson “ nursing is concerned with
promoting health, preventing illness, caring for the
sick and restoring health”.
• It focuses on health promotion and treatment of
disease. She believes that holistic health care is
central to the practice of caring in nursing.
• She defines nursing as…..
“A human science of persons and human health-
illness experiences that are mediated by professional,
personal, scientific, esthetic and ethical human
transactions”.
 Clients needs prioritized
according to Jean Watson’s
theory
• According to Watson, clients must satisfy
lower- order needs before attaining higher
ones

• Follow Watson’s Hierarchy of 10 Carative

Factors (Similar to Manlow’s) by providing
care should be the central focus for the
patient.

• The patient would be cared for, respected,

nurtured, understood and assisted; a fully
functional integrated self.
 Clients needs prioritized
according to Jean Watson’s
theory cont’d
• Because the patient is bed ridden, the nurse would
make sure that there is caution and patient safety due
to risk of falling, while making area as comfortable as
possible and accessible to objects patient may need
(e.g. telephone, bedside table).
– By making patient as safe as possible, and comfortable
shows that the caring factor is present.

• The patient also feels sad and inadequate, therefore

application of the 10 Carative factors would be
enforced to let patient know that you are there for the
provision for a supportive, protective, and (or)
corrective mental, physical, sociocultural, and
spiritual environment.
 Clients needs prioritized
according to Jean Watson’s
theory cont’d
• Another Carative factor may be the instillation of
faith and hope.

• Assistance with the gratification of human needs by

helping this patient know that they are adequate
and are relevant may help increase patient from
feeling sad and inadequate.

• The formation of a humanistic- altruistic system of

values is one of the carative factors that will be
used for this patient, causing the patients
perspective to the health care professional.
– This builds trust that the act of caring and selflessness
does exist and this may change the patients feeling of
sadness.
 Application of Maslows
Hierachy to Jean Watson’s
theory
Jean Watson believed that all human beings
needs assistance with the gratification of human
needs. It is grounded in a hierarchy of need
similar to that of the Maslow’s.

• She has created a hierarchy which she believes is

relevant to the science of caring in nursing.

• According to her each need is equally important

for quality nursing care and the promotion of
optimal health. All the needs deserve to be
attended to and valued.
 Watson Vs. Maslow
Watson’s ordering of needs
• Higher order needs (psychosocial needs)
• The need for achievement
• The need for affiliation
• Higher order need (intrapersonal-
interpersonal need)
• The need for self-actualization
NIC Interventions according
to theorist
– Coping Enhancement 5230 pg. 238
• - Assisting a patient to adapt to perceived
stressors, changes, or threats which interfere with
meting life demands and roles.

– Mood Management 5330 pg. 498

• -Providing for safety, stabilization, recovery, and
maintenance of a patient who is experiencing
dysfunctionallly depressed or elevated mood.

– Emotional Support 5270 pg. 314

• -Provision of reassurance, acceptance, and
encouragement during times of stress.
NOC outcomes according to
theorist
– Coping 1302 pg. 249
– Mood Equilibrium 1204 pg. 393
– Loneliness Severity 1203 pg. 381
• -Client verbalizes feelings related to present
emotional state within 24 to 48 hours.
• -Client identifies recent stressful life events
or sources of stress.
• -Client identifies signs and symptoms of
current stress.
• -Client identifies current coping patterns
and consequences of such behavior.