The Theory of Nursing

as Caring
by: Anne Boykin &
Savina O. Schoenhofer

A Model for Transforming

Practice
GROUP 4
 Theory of nursing as caring
The Theory of Nursing as Caring , by Anne Boykin and Savina O.
Schoenhofer, emerges as a transformative paradigm in nursing,
emphasizing the centrality of caring in practice, education,
administration, and research. The theory is grounded in the
fundamental assumptions that to be human is to be caring, and
second the activities of the discipline and the profession of
nursing merge in coming to know persons as caring and
nurturing them as persons living and growing in caring.
 ANNE BOYKIN
Born 1944 in Kaukauna,
Wisconsin
began her nursing career in 1996
Significant contributions to the
advancement of Nursing.
Co-founder of the Theory of
Nursing as Caring
 EARLY LIFE
EDUCATION POSITIONS SCHOLARLY WORKS
-Bachelor of Science in Co-authored "Nursing
Nursing from Alverno -Leadership roles in as Caring: A Model for
Transforming Practice
College in Milwaukee, the International
(1993-2001)
Wisconsin (1966). Association for " with Schoenhofer.
Human Caring
-Master's degree from (IAHC). Authored "Living a
Emory University in Caring-based
Atlanta, Georgia. Program." (1994)
-Director of the Anne
-Doctorate from Boykin Institute for
Commitment to
Vanderbilt University Advancement of advancing knowledge
in Nashville, Caring in Nursing (as in Nursing,
Tennessee. of 2014). particularly in caring.
Savina O. Schoenhofer
Born in 1940
Significant contributions to the
field of nursing.

Co-author of the Theory of

Nursing as Caring (References:
Alligood, 2014; Boykin &
Schoenhofer, 2001; Smith &
Parker, 2015).
 EARLY LIFE
EDUCATION POSITIONS SCHOLARLY WORKS
Nursing Degree from Ethics Advisory Committee Co-authored "Nursing as
Wichita State member at the University Caring: A Model for
University. of Mississippi Medical Transforming Practice"
Center. with Dr. Boykin.

Graduate degrees in Author of "Health Care

Nursing, Psychology, Professor of Nursing at the System Transformation
University of Mississippi for Nursing and Health
and Counseling.
Medical Center School of Care Leaders:
Nursing in Jackson. Implementing a Culture
Ph.D. in educational of Caring."
foundations and Adjunct Professor at
administration at Florida Atlantic University Emphasis on the
Kansas State College of Nursing, Boca cultivation of caring
Raton. within the healthcare
University (1983). sector.
 Major assumptions
Major assumptions are stated by the theorists to present their values that
ground the theory, and to illuminate their worldviews.

The theory of Nursing As Caring is grounded in 6 major assumptions that

provide distinctive meaning.

Persons are caring by virtue of their humanness.

Persons are caring movement to moment.

Persons are whole or complete in the moment.

Personhood is living grounded in caring.

Personhood is enhanced through participating in nurturing relationships

with caring others.

Nursing is both a discipline and a profession.

 3 major concepts
Personhood
Is understood to mean
living grounded in caring.
This is a process of living,
caring, and growing in
care and implies being
authentic demonstrating
harmony between beliefs
and behaviors, and living
out the meaning of one’s
life.
NURSING
RESPONSE
Is a specific expression of
NURSING caring in order to sustain
and enhance the person.
SITUATION The nurse responds
Is a shared lived through a caring attitude
experience in which and the person being
personhood is nurtured. It cared for recognizes that
caring attitude and
is a construct in the mind
appreciates and
of the nurse and is acknowledges it.
present whenever the
intent of the nurse is to
nurse.
 KEY CONCEPTS
These are important concepts that can be operationalized, i.e. they
can be put into action and studied, recognized, described or measured

Caring in nursing
The intentional and authentic presence of the nurse with another who is
recognized as a person living in caring and growing in caring. If you look at
the 6 basic assumptions listed, it states that nursing is both a discipline and a
profession. This assumption supports and validates how a nurse approaches
professional caring practice, that is, from an informed stance grounded in
disciplinary knowledge. This clearly distinguishes "lay" caring from
professional nurse caring.
 Authentic presence
Authentic presence may be understood as one's intentionally being there with
another in the fullness of one's personhood. Caring communicated through
authentic presence is the initiating and sustaining medium of nursing within
the nursing situation

Person as Whole and Complete

in the Moment
Person as caring centers on valuing and celebrating human wholeness, that is,
the human person as living caring and growing in caring: valuing and respecting
each person's beauty, worth, and uniqueness.
The person is at all times whole. To encounter a person as less than whole fails to
encounter person.
 METAPARADIGM
PERSON
Persons are viewed as caring by
virtue of their humanness. Persons
are not viewed as segmented into
parts, but rather as a whole
ENVIRONMENT
Although not clearly defined,
the environment is referred as
the environmental pressure in
relation to nursing roles.
HEALTH
A well-being state of a person. We
can attain overall health through
proper caring in all aspects of life.
NURSING
The intention of nursing Is
nurturing persons who are living
and growing in care
 Reflects reciprocal
relationships grounded in
mutual respect and
the dance of recognition
Egalitarian spirit of caring
caring person respect characterizes all
participants
Contributions of each
dancer, including the one
nursed, are honored
 Core Dimensions of
Caring in the Dance of
Caring Persons Model
Acknowledgement of all persons'
capacity to care by virtue of their
humanness
Commitment to respect in all
institutional structures and
processes
Recognition of each
participant's unique valuable
contribution to the whole
Personal Knowing in the Dance
Integral to the connectedness of persons in the
dance
Nature of relating in the circle is grounded in
valuing and respecting the person
All in the nursing situation, including the nurse
and the nursed, sustain the dance
Circle represents the commitment of each
dancer to support the study of the discipline of
nursing
 APPLICATIONS OF THE THEORY OF NURSING AS CARING

Practice
Practicing nursing involves:
Knowing self as caring
Knowing others as caring
Genuine intention to apprehend and
nurture each person as a caring entity
Nursing is a constantly unfolding process
guided by intention.
 APPLICATIONS OF THE THEORY OF NURSING AS CARING

Nursing Service
Administration
Nursing administrators:
Make decisions infused with caring values
Shape a transformative culture in line with
nursing as caring
Ensure activities and decisions are directed
toward individuals' well-being.
 APPLICATIONS OF THE THEORY OF NURSING AS CARING

Education
In nursing education, the Theory of
Nursing as Caring promotes:
Make decisions infused with caring values
Shape a transformative culture in line with
nursing as caring
Ensure activities and decisions are directed
toward individuals' well-being.
 APPLICATIONS OF THE THEORY OF NURSING AS CARING

Research
The Nursing Theory of Caring in
research:
Offers a unique perspective on nursing knowledge
generation
Focuses on the nursing situation as central to
inquiry
Explores nursing meaning within the lived
experiences of the nursing context.
Do you have any questions?