Jean Watson

Intentionality and caring-healing consciousness: a practice of transpersonal nursing.

This article explicates some theoretical and scientific dimensions of intentionality and consciousness as a framework for transpersonal nursing. New connections are made between noetic sciences and transpersonal caring theory, both of which cultivate intentionality as a form of focused consciousness as a formal field of study. What emerges is Intentional Transpersonal Caring, whereby intentionality, consciousness, and universal energy-field are posited as the foundation of a caring moment, potentiating healing for both practitioner and patient. The theoretical and scientific are translated into the practical by a series of practice guidelines that activate intentionality into a living theory of transpersonal caring-healing praxis.

Caring theory as an ethical guide to administrative and clinical practices.

ABSTRACT This article explores the conventional relationship between caring, economics, and administrative practices that no longer serve patients, practitioners, or systems. A shift toward human caring values and an ethic of authentic healing relationships is required as systems now have to value human resources and life purposes, inner meanings, and processes for workers and patients alike, not just economics alone. This shift requires a professional ethos with renewed attention to practice that is ethics/values-based and theory-guided, alongside evidence and economics. Emergent professional, caring-theory-guided practice options are presented, which are grounded on this deeper ethical moral and theoretical foundation for transforming the practitioners and the system.

Love and caring. Ethics of face and hand--an invitation to return to the heart and soul of nursing and our deep humanity.

This manuscript offers a new view of old and timeless values: the essential ethic of love, informed by contemporary European philosophies, and caring theory, as well as ancient poetry and wisdom traditions. It integrates some of the philosophical views of Levinas and Logstrup with Watsons Transpersonal Caring Theory. The metaphysics, metaphors, and meanings associated with “ethics of face,” the “infinity of the human soul,” and “holding anothers life in our hands” are tied to a deeply ethical foundation for the timeless practice of love and caring, as a means to sustain, not only our shared humanity, but the profession of nursing itself.

Caring knowledge and informed moral passion.

This article is based on an invited challenge address at the 1989 National Doctoral Forum related to future directions for substantive knowledge development. The focus is on the inclusion of caring knowledge into nursings metaparadigm. Art and metaphor are used to make a case for caring knowledge and caring ontology as a metaphorical landscape for diverse epistemological “set pieces,” all converging on a Commons Room of caring knowledge within a broader human and natural landscape. Such a framework links ontology and epistemology as both substance and form, and allows matter and spirit to be of a piece, but distinguishable; human caring knowledge then becomes Annie Dillards “Absolute base” and “Holy the Firm.”

Postmodernism and Knowledge Development in Nursing

Postmodernism as a concept and periodizing point between centuries has been defined as both the beginning and the end of modernity. This article explores some of the dimensions of this moment and movement between centuries and the implications of the postmodern condition on the nursing profession. Amidst the health care reform angst of deconstructing and reconstructing, challenges and opportunities await nursings evolution into its own postmodern paradigm. Manifestations of such a postmodern paradigm are already reflected in the epistemological shifts of nursing science and knowledge development. Challenges posed for nursing science by this disorientingly free-floating era are brought to light - away from the reaction worldview, past the reciprocal and into the transformative-simultaneous, where by nursing can emerge within its own unique postmodern discipline.

Nursing on the caring edge: Metaphorical vignettes

This article attempts to convey some enduring truths about nursing on the caring edge of evolutionary human consciousness. A format of selected literary and poetic metaphorical vignettes is used to depict the tacit, expressive elements of caring in nursing that give it an evolutionary edge in the health care system and in society.

The power of wholeness, consciousness, and caring a dialogue on nursing science, art, and healing.

Wholeness, consciousness, and caring are 3 critical concepts singled out and positioned in the disciplinary discourse of nursing to distinguish it from other disciplines. This article is an outgrowth of a dialogue among 4 scholars, 3 who have participated extensively in work aimed at synthesizing converging points in nursing theory development. It proposes a unified vision of nursing knowledge that builds on their work as a reference point for extending reflection and dialogue about the discipline of nursing. We seek for an awakening of a higher/deeper place of wholeness, consciousness, and caring that will synthesize new ethical and intellectual forms and norms of “ontological caring literacy” to arrive at a unitary caring science praxis. We encourage the evolution of a mature caring-healing-health discipline and profession, helping affirm and sustain humanity, caring, and wholeness in our daily work and in the world.

Creating a profile of a nurse effective in caring.

BackgroundWatsons Theory of Caring and Caritas proposes that caring and love potentiate healing. Creating a profile of the characteristics of a “Caritas nurse” has implications for integrating caring and love into patient care, and measuring the impact of caring on patient and operational outcomes. MethodsThis psychometric study examined the profile of nurses effective in caring. The Caring Factor Survey and the Healthcare Environment Survey were selected to measure caring and work environment conditions as reported by the patient and by the nurse, respectively. ResultsThe results of this study revealed that nurses of all ages who received high scores in caring were most frustrated with the work environment, were most experienced, worked only the hours scheduled, were most affected by the relationship with the patient, derived the most enjoyment from the relationship with their coworkers, and provided continuity of care most consistently. Discussion and ImplicationsFindings from this study indicate that further inquiry into the profile of nurses effective in caring and evaluation of the presence of caring and love on patient outcomes is warranted.

Social Justice and Human Caring: A Model of Caring Science as a Hopeful Paradigm for Moral Justice for Humanity

The only true standard of greatness of any civilization is our sense of social and moral responsibility in translating material wealth to human values and achieving our full potential as a caring society. -The Right Honorable Norman Kirk, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand.

New Directions in Higher Education: A Review of Trends.

The authors review six significant reports published from 1982 to 1985 on the quality of education in the United States. They summarize the salient points of each report and identify the directions these reports provide for professional nursing education.