Jean Watson’s

Theory of Human Caring

--was developed between 1975-1979 by Jean
Watson, a distinguished professor of nursing at
Colorado University (recipient of the highest
faculty award for scholarly work)
--Jean was the founder of the Center for Human
Caring and her theory is not static but has
evolved between 1985 and 1988
Theory of Human Caring
Has 3 Major Conceptual Elements
Carative Factors (evolving toward the “Clinical
Caritas Processes”)
Transpersonal Caring Moment
Caring Moment/Caring Occasion
Jean Watson is one of the few nursing theorists who
consider not only the cared for but the caregiver
Carative Factors
Are the guide for the core of
nursing
Use carative factors to
contrast with conventional
medicine’s curative factors
The carative factors honor the
human dimension of nursing's
work and the inner life world
and subjective experiences of
the people we serve
Carative factors are evolving
to “Clinical Caritas”
Clinical Caritas
Have a greater spiritual
dimension in the new
processes
Caritas comes originates
from the Greek
vocabulary meaning “to
cherish and to give special
loving attention”
Caring factors became
Clinical Caritas
Carative Factors
evolving to Clinical Caritas
Humanistic-altruistic Practice of loving kindness within
system of value context of caring consciousness

Faith-Hope Being authentically present and

enabling the beliefs of the one being
cared for and the one giving care
Sensitivity to self and Cultivation of one’s own spiritual
others practices, going beyond self, opening
to others with compassion and
sensitivity
Helping-trusting, human
Developing and maintaining a
care relationship trusting, authentic, caring
relationship
Carative Factors
evolving to Clinical Caritas
Expressing positive and Being present to and
negative feelings supporting the positive and
negative feelings with a
connection of a deeper spirit
Creative problem solving Creative use of self
caring process
Transpersonal teaching- Engaging in genuine teaching
learning learning experience
Carative Factors
evolving to
Supportive, protective, and/or
corrective mental, physical,
societal, and spiritual
environment
Human needs assistance
Existential-phenomenological-
spiritual forces
Clinical Caritas
Creating healing environment
at all levels
Assisting with basic needs
with a caring consciousness to
align mind/body/spirit
Soul care for the one being
cared for
Transpersonal Caring Relationship
Is a special kind of human
relationship that depends on :
Nurse’s commitment on
protecting and enhancing
human dignity and a
deeper/higher self
Nurse’s caring
consciousness to preserve
and honor the embodied
spirit, thereby not reducing
the patient to a moral
status of an object
The nurse’s caring and
connection have potential to heal
since experience, intention, and
perception are taking place
Nursing goes beyond an objective
assessment and shows concern for
the patient’s own healthcare
Goal of transpersonal caring
relationship protects, enhances,
and preserves human dignity,
humanity, wholeness, and inner
harmony
 Caring Occasion/Moment
A caring occasion is the moment when the
nurse and another person come together in
such a way that an occasion for human
caring is created.
Both persons come together in a human-
human transaction
The one caring for and the one being cared
for are influenced by the choices and actions
decided within the relationship
 Clinical Application of
Watson’s Theory Of Human Caring
Providing an Authentic caring relationship
Practice of loving kindness
Creative use of self
Engaging in genuine teaching learning experience
Going beyond self, open to others
Being present to support positive and
negative feelings
Soul care for the one being cared for
Assist with basic needs
 How does Watson’s Theory of Human Caring
Tie in With the Planetree Philosophy?

In Watson’s Theory: In the Planetree Philosophy:

The Person is made of three
spheres --mind, body, and spirit
The Healing space and
environment created by nurses
expands the patient’s awareness
and consciousness and promotes
mind, body, and spirit healing
The patient’s room is a soothing,
healing, sacred space
All of this leads to a higher
degree of health
Personalize, humanize, and demystify the
healthcare experience for the patient and
family
Is Patient focused, not provider focused
Empowers patients through information
and education
Encourages healing partnerships with
caregivers
Encourages healing on all dimensions:
mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical
The GHS Philosophy of Nursing

....is based upon patient and family centered

care and the Planetree™ model.
Jean Watson’s Science of Human Caring is
integral to patient and family centered care.
We believe that caring is central to the
practice of nursing and that nursing care is
an integration of knowledge, skills,
experience and values.
Our GHS Nursing Philosophy:
Must believe in it yourself
Is the foundation for our model of care
Should be reflected in behaviors of all
levels of nurses
Needs to be understood by all