The nurse is aware of the unity of mind spirit body The nurse is open to and detects the significance of the mind-body-spirit unity of each individual. She brings none of her own past prejudices to the development of this connection.

The nurse also has a: Spiritual connection awareness She actively and accurately recognizes the spiritual connection between herself and others by noting actions, words, behaviors, cognition, body language, feelings, intuition, thoughts, senses, and the energy field gestalt (awareness of projected energy/or “vibes”) (Kearney, Nunnery, 2008, p.74).

Caritas lead to natural healing. The nurse sees that: Caritas lead to natural healing. The nurse recognizes that caring-healing modalities or caritas promote harmony, wholeness, and comfort for the patient that potentiates inner healing which in turn leads to a more natural healing process.

The Nurse: Utilizes various elements to promote healing. The nurse will intentionally utilize auditory, visual, olfactory, tactile, gustatory, and kinesthetic modalities to promote transpersonal caring-healing. Through the connections of touch, sight and smell relationships are formed, and healing ensues.

Authentically present Authentic Presencing intentionality mutuality authenticity growth energy Authentically present The second of the required practice methodologies is Authentic Presencing.

The Nurse : Is not distracted Is focused The nurse is present in the occasion and open to adapting or becoming who the patient needs within each situation. The nurse is always focused on the healing and not the disease.

The authentically present nurse: Sees through the eyes of the patient Wants to make a difference Promotes calmness The nurse attempts to see things primarily from the patient’s perception. The nurse wants to make a difference not only to the patient, but to one’s self and the world by accepting the mind-body-spirit presence. And most importantly, the authentically present nurse promotes comfort and peace during a time of turmoil and suffering.

NURSING EDUCATION BEYOND CARING CARITAS Watson asks nursing education to move beyond caring in which self interest is involved to “caritas” or “to care by being open to the difference in others” (Watson, p.253). She encourages us to move beyond biomedical science and base our nursing education and health care delivery on human values and the concern for the welfare of others (Alligood, p. 98).

Current Research Status In order to be accepted by nursing profession, the theory should be evaluated how applicable it is to the nursing practice, how valuable it is for further development and whether it improves nursing as a profession. In Jean Watson’s research, she discovered a discrepancy in values considered most important by patients, nursing students, and registered nurses.

Caring Relationship Improves recovery from depression Improves patient outcomes Improves quality of life Improves perceived quality of care There are studies that indicate correlation between caring and recovery from depression among woman and elders (Mullaney, 2000). Use of the Watson Theory of Caring Model helps to increase compliance with therapeutic regimen and improve patient outcomes for patients with a diagnosis of hypertension (Erci, 2003). Implications of caring relationships in nursing practice in the long-term care facilities improves quality of life of the residents. It improves perceived quality of care as indicated by its appropriateness , timely manner, helpfulness, and promoting human dignity. (Clarke, 2003).