Concept Analysis on Caring in Nursing
Concepts are the foundation of theoretical development (Robert, Tilley & Peterson, 2014). They represent meaning, experience and/or ideas of a human experience (Watson & Nelson, 2012). The purpose of a concept analysis is to provide clarity on a particular concept as it relates to both theory and practice in the nursing profession. Concept analysis are used greatly in nursing literature to help develop new concepts and refine existing concepts that relate to nursing for the sole purpose of constructing new theory development (Sargent, 2012). The concept of caring in nursing practice has evolved over the last several decades. Because there are many variations of the definition of caring, it can be difficult for individuals to understand caring specifically in the nursing sense (Lindberg, Fagerström, Sivberg & Willman, 2014). Therefore, I chose to do an analysis on the concept of caring particularly on the care that nurses provide to patients as it relates to Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. The subsequent sections of this analysis paper are: definition of the concept of caring, concept comparison, literature review, attributes of caring, antecedent and consequences of caring, empirical referents of caring, model case of caring, alternative cases of caring, and conclusion.
Definition of the Caring Concept
According to Oxford Dictionary, caring can be defined as being an adjective or noun (2016). As an adjective, caring is the act of showing kindness and/or concern for others. As a noun, caring is defined as the practice of looking after others whom are unable to care for themselves. Caring in the nursing profession consists of doing, knowing, and being (DiNapoli, Turkel, Nelson, & Watson, 2010). According to Watson’s theory, caring is a central component of nursing and is the basis of the relationship and connection between the nurse and patient (Roussel & Swansburg, 2009). She defined caring as a state of being. The act of caring is not about performing specific caring interventions to obtain certain results and treatment of your patient, but rather focuses on all the needs of the patient which include physically, psychologically, and spiritually (Sitzman, 2007). According to Watson and her Theory of Human Caring, caring fosters understanding, relieves grief and suffering, and enhances the patient’s well-being. Watson further defines caring as the process of morally committing to protect, enhance and preserve a person’s humanity which in turns fosters healing in that individual (Watson & Nelson, 2012).
Concept Comparison
Parenting can be considered a full-time job. The definition of parenting is to provide and nurture your offspring in a way that fosters positive growth by attending to their physical health, emotional health, and cognitive functions (Seay, Freysteinson & McFarlane, 2014). Parents accomplish this by “effectively caring, teaching, leading, communicating and provide for the needs of the child consistently and unconditionally” (Seay, Freysteinson & McFarlane, 2014, p. 7). This growth is in all aspects much like a nurse has to consider all aspects of their patient when caring for them. In the nursing profession, caring is more in the sense of promoting healing and health in your patient’s recovery process to their pre-ill state (Watson & Nelson, 2012). Whereas in parenting, caring is more like providing and loving their offspring. Concept Analysis on Caring in Nursing Essay paper.
Literature Review
According to Dudkiewicz, a caring foundation provides the ethical framework needed to improve patient satisfaction, overall of delivery of care, staff satisfaction, and improve quality measures (2014). Watson’s Theory of Human Caring can be utilized to address specific practice problems and delivery of patient care in healthcare organizations by focusing on the concept of caring. Caring nursing also provides the foundation for a healing environment where the development of the nurse and patient relationship can be achieved in which it then can promote healing and growth for the patient (Quinn, 2009).
According to Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, Watson defines a valued person as one that should be cared for, respected and nurture (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 184). She defines health for a person as the unity between the mind, body, and soul (McEwen & Willis, 2014). Therefore, the nurse needs to address the whole person in order to provide or care effectively for their patients’ health. In order to do this successfully, the nurse would need to consider the patients’ environment as a contributing factor to t
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