Reply to each discussion post separately:

Post 1: 

In 1973, Jean Watson obtained her Ph.D. in educational psychology and counseling from the University of Colorado and established the Center for Human Caring, where she and other colleagues created Watson’s Philosophy and Science of Caring (Gonzalo, A., 2023). This philosophy is how nurses demonstrate care for their patients and how they convey those actions through their nursing practice. There are ten primary carative factors within Watsons’ theory that is the foundation of caring (Current Nursing, 2020). One of those carative factors is “the instillation of faith-hope” and the corresponding translation of caritas process in Watson’s philosophy is “authentic presence” (Gonzalo, A., 2023).

This theory resonates with me the most because as an RN working bedside, I believe it is important to connect with my patients by being present and fully engaged while actively listening. To me, having an “authentic presence” also means being empathetic, acknowledging and respecting the patient’s perspectives and decisions, whether it is negative or positive. Being authentic in our interactions, whether it be our patients, patients’ family members, colleagues, etc., it is important to be open and vulnerable; just as patients have to be with health care providers. In order to truly thrive in the field of nursing, it is essential to possess a genuine empathy and an unwavering commitment to positively impact the lives of others. These fundamental attributes are what truly make this occupation both gratifying and fulfilling. As an advanced practice registered nurse, my top priority is to establish meaningful connections with everyone I interact with. I am confident in my ability to make each interaction impactful and create strong bonds that will benefit my patients and colleagues.

Post 2: 

According to Jean Watson, nurses are expected to be the caring healing environment. Although doctors and other healthcare providers work on providing care to the patient’s health, the nurses spend most of their time with the patients at bedside. In short, the patients belong to the nurses in charge, especially when offering bedside care (Watson, 2021). Florence Nightingale asserted the statement by stating that the nurse’s role is to put the patient in the best position to self-heal, which includes creating a conducive environment from physical care to mental, emotional, and spiritual care (Watson, 2021). Furthermore, Jean Watson alludes that caring regenerates life energies from the nurses to the patients. This calls for nurses first to care for themselves to be able to care for others. In a healing environment, Watson alludes that the core of the caring theory is that humans cannot be treated as objects and that human beings, including nurses, cannot separate their practice from self (Watson, 2021). 

Creating a conducive healing environment includes creating physical spaces that have a positive sensory impact on the patients and healthcare system. Studies allude that such arrangements can be attained by integrating modalities such as healing art programs, guided imagery, music and aromatherapy, healing touch, massage, and other healthy practices into the treatment plan (Watson, 2021). Furthermore, love, kindness, empathy, truthfulness, compassion, integrity, and autonomy should be part of the treatment process and help foster a healthy relationship between the patients, families and healthcare providers, especially nurses.