Caring in Nursing

Caring is Universal Influences the way people think, feel and act Many nursing theorists have tired to “define” caring – Nightingale was first Caring is the heart of nursing

Benner (Holistic Theory) Equates excellent nursing practice with CARING People, events, projects (things) have importance Caring means connectedness or involvement Caring helps patients understand and adjust to illness

Benner, con’t. Defines health as a state of being Individualized by one’s Values Personality Lifestyle Treatment for illness is worthless if not applied to the individual

Leininger (Transcultural) Caring is the essence of Nursing – it is a distinguishing characteristic Purpose of care is to assist the individual toward improvement in condition Caring is Nurturing Dependent on needs of individual Must reflect the patient’s own culture

Watson (Transpersonal) Holistic Patient, family, environment Nurses exhibit conscious decision to care This helps patient toward healing and wholeness Focus in on cAre, not cUre cAring “inner healing” health Nurse & patient affected by relationship

Swanson Caring is has 5 dimensions Caring is central to nursing Knowing Being with Doing for Enabling Maintaing belief Caring is central to nursing Theory can be applied to clinical setting

Caring is Relational Patients value nurse Effectiveness Ability to perform tasks Also value nurse Affect Attitude or demeanor while performing the tasks Patients are more willing to participate if they sense that they are cared about

Ethic of Care Protects human dignity Often perceived as a moral imperative Requires awareness of potential unequality in relationships This due to either real or perceived “power” that patient assigns to the nurse Knowledge is power

Expressions of Care Spiritual Presence Being aware of & honoring patient’s beliefs Presence Being there Physically present Demonstrating understanding Being with Sharing oneself

Touch Listening Skin-to-skin Eye contact (nonverbal) Protective – to prevent injury Listening Taking in patient information Interpreting what has been taken in

Knowing Understanding the client Understanding the planned interventions Avoid making assumptions Focuses on client