The Caring Occasion

Watson Says… “ ”  A poignant human- to human interaction  “manifests within a healing consciousness” (pg. 411)  a Metaphysical Experience (Watson’s use of energy fields and transcendence) (George, 2002) ( )

Associated Concepts Healing ConsciousnessTranspersonal Caring  Obtaining a certain method of thinking in the dynamics of transpersonal caring  The state of the nurse’s consciousness affects the energy fields of others  “The caring-healing process is connected with the other human(s) and the higher energy of the universe…” (Watson, 2008)  The deep, connected quality of human-to- human interaction  The sharing of oneself (by both patient and nurse) in the healing process  Healing modalities that are rooted in intentionality and promote human dignity… (George, 2002)

Associated Concepts The Ten Carative FactorsThe Postmodern Mindset  1. Practice kindness, 2. presence, 3. transpersonal self, 4. helping-trusting function, 5. feeling expression (+ & -), 6.creative self, 7. teaching- learning function, 8. healing environment, 9. intentional care essentials, 10. existential dimension of life and death (Sitzman & Eischelberger, 2004)  Multiple truths  Physical and nonphysical phenomena  Relativity of time and space  Emerging artistry, spirit- metaphysical, holographic, etc. (George, 2002)

How do we facilitate the “ Caring Occasion ”?  The nurse must bring to the table their unique life histories (Sitzman & Eischelberger, 2004).  Transpersonal caring behaviours, in accordance with the 10 Carative Factors  “Emotional catharsis and ‘intersubjective flow’” (Mullaney, 2000).

Applying Theory to Practice  Treating Depressed Women, Mullaney’s (2002) Study: (the caring occasion) “ Five themes were: feeling understood; feeling like there was a way out, regaining an empathetic perspective toward self and other; expressing negative feelings that enable self- acceptance; feeling better and able to engage in effective problem-solving and health life ways. Themes were related to carative factors.”  Mullaney also sights the successful use of Waton’s theory with pregnant woman whose fetuses have died in utero, Aids patients, etc.

The Watsonian Nurse  Searching for alternative healing modalities that go deeper than the traditional prevention and cure ideals  Application of the “caring science” - CARATIVE FACTORS - TRANSPERSONAL CARING  Creating the ideal environment for the caring occasion to occur  Advance practice, for example with the elderly, to assume the role of the practitioner, educator, and consultant (Bernick, 2004).

 the level of development made since 1980’s and international interest  Multidimensional approaches to research on the caring relationship  technological competency is given a high degree of importance in situations of severe health concerns  Watson’s 2002 publishing indicates tools for measuring caring in its scientific understanding (Smith, 2004). Strengths

 Disruption of the “mechanistic medical model”  Not in Watson’s work itself but in the way the bureaucratic health care system operates  Trying to mesh together different values and beliefs  Challenge for healthcare provides to adapt to a new role ; shift from “sickness treatment systems” to “ healing/health care systems” (George, 2002). Limitations

Proposal (Google Images, 2008).

References Bernick, L. (2004). Caring for older adults: Practice guided by Watson’s caring-healing model. Nursing Science Quarterly, 17(2), Retrieved October 25, 2008 from CINAHL database. George, J. (2002). Nursing theories: The base for professional nursing practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Mullaney, J. (2000). The lived experience of using Watson’s actual caring occasion to treat depressed women. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 18 (2), Sitzman, K. and Eischelberger, L.W. (2004). Understanding the work of nurse theorists: A creative beginning. Detroit, MI: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Smith, M. (2004) Review of research related to Watson’s theory of caring. Nursing Science Quarterly, 17(1), Retrieved October 25, 2008 from CINAHL database. Watson, J. (2008). The Watson Caring Science Institute. Retrieved November 6, 2008, from