Caring as a Nurse

Abstract

This paper will discuss the definition of a caring nurse. Nurses tend to be the leading cause of most patients feeling better. Nurses interact with the patients on a daily basis and make their experience a more pleasant one. This paper focuses on theories of caring by Watson and explains the needs that patients want and need when under a nurses care. It also focuses on the caring theory that helps identifies caring. Characteristics of caring, transpersonal caring, caring moments, carative caring, healings and it process with caring. Applying care in your nursing practice is a great way to be a caring nurse.

Applying Caring to Your Nurse Practice

In order for anyone to understand the definition of a caring nurse, first understand the meaning of caring. Caring means to respond to others as unique individuals, sensing their emotions, and accepting them as they are, unconditionally (Anderson, 2005). According to Anderson, one of the foundational concepts of caring as a science is “Caring for the whole person,” also known as transpersonal caring or holistic nursing. Caring is giving the best possible care to your patient. Caring is taking the time and the trouble to learn as much as you can so that you help your patients as much as possible. Caring is being human and being humane. Caring is “a feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others; showing or having compassion”. Caring is a feeling that also requires an action. To care is to care for the whole person, who includes paying attention to and carrying for a person’s body, mind, and spirit.

Jean Watson’s theory of caring tends to focus on individuals and meaning for their quality of life. Caring involves sensitivity, respect, and high moral and ethical commitment. Nurse’s places care before cure. Caring becomes the ethical standard by which nursing is measured. Caring preserves human dignity and caring is a choice and is the emphasis on nurse-patient relationship....