Critique of Jean Watson's Theory
Theory Critique of the Human Caring Theory
Adele Wolf
Maryville University
NUR 600
October 03, 2012
Theory Critique of the Human Caring Theory
The Theory of Human Caring was written by Jean Watson. This model consists of ten carative factors to assist nurses with caring for their patients. Dr. Watson calls this a transpersonal relationship. Watson defines transpersonal care ‘as the capacity of one human being to receive another human being’s expression of feelings and to experience those feelings for oneself’ (Walker, 1996, p. 992). It is much more than a scripted therapeutic response, it is a moral duty that rises from within the nurse, and Watson identifies nursing as both an art and a science. The first premise of this theory is that the more individual the feelings are, that the nurse transmits, the more strongly does the caring process affect the recipient (Walker, 1996). The two persons in a caring transaction are both in the process of being and becoming. The moment of coming together in an actual caring occasion presents the opportunity for each person to learn from the other, how to be human. Watson implies more than a mere mergence of experiences; she suggests a spiritual union of souls (Watson, 2008; Walker, 1996, p. 992).
This writing will evaluate Watson’s theory and critique using Chinn and Kramer’s model of evaluation using description, clarity, simplicity, generalizability, accessibility, and importance (Meleis, 2012, p. 184).
Clarity
Watson precisely defines the concepts and sub concepts central to this theory. Watson explains abstract phenomena by using ordinary language in extraordinary ways, and uses nontechnical, sophisticated, fluid, and evolutionary language to artfully describe concepts. Watson’s propensity toward metaphorical expression adds urgency to her moral message for nursing (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). At times, lengthy phrases and sentences must be read more than once to convey meaning. The increasing
Adele Wolf
Maryville University
NUR 600
October 03, 2012
Theory Critique of the Human Caring Theory
The Theory of Human Caring was written by Jean Watson. This model consists of ten carative factors to assist nurses with caring for their patients. Dr. Watson calls this a transpersonal relationship. Watson defines transpersonal care ‘as the capacity of one human being to receive another human being’s expression of feelings and to experience those feelings for oneself’ (Walker, 1996, p. 992). It is much more than a scripted therapeutic response, it is a moral duty that rises from within the nurse, and Watson identifies nursing as both an art and a science. The first premise of this theory is that the more individual the feelings are, that the nurse transmits, the more strongly does the caring process affect the recipient (Walker, 1996). The two persons in a caring transaction are both in the process of being and becoming. The moment of coming together in an actual caring occasion presents the opportunity for each person to learn from the other, how to be human. Watson implies more than a mere mergence of experiences; she suggests a spiritual union of souls (Watson, 2008; Walker, 1996, p. 992).
This writing will evaluate Watson’s theory and critique using Chinn and Kramer’s model of evaluation using description, clarity, simplicity, generalizability, accessibility, and importance (Meleis, 2012, p. 184).
Clarity
Watson precisely defines the concepts and sub concepts central to this theory. Watson explains abstract phenomena by using ordinary language in extraordinary ways, and uses nontechnical, sophisticated, fluid, and evolutionary language to artfully describe concepts. Watson’s propensity toward metaphorical expression adds urgency to her moral message for nursing (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). At times, lengthy phrases and sentences must be read more than once to convey meaning. The increasing
References: Alligood, M. R., & Tomey, A. M. (2010). Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Cara, C. (2003). Pragmatic view of Jean Watson’s caring theory. International Journal for Human Caring, 7(3), 51-57. Meleis, A. I. (2012). Theoretical Nursing development & progress (5th ed.). Philadephia,PA: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams& Wilkins. Walker, C. A. (1996). Coalescing the theories of two nurse visionaries: Parse and Watson. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24, 988-996. Watson, J. (2008). Social justice and human caring: A model of caring science as a hopeful paradigm for moral justice for humanity. Creative Nursing, 14(2), 54-61.