Watson Theory
Continuing eduCation
occupational health Nursing Practice through the human Caring Lens by Dianne L. Noel, RN, BSN, COHN-S/CM, COHN(c)
a bstraCt
Many health care and academic centers have adopted Watson’s Theory of Human Caring as their guiding principle; the theory is also used in other disciplines, such as library science. Human caring theory offers occupational health nurses a structure that not only defines a focus for practice, but also provides a basis for moral and philosophical practice analyses. In particular, nurses may find this theory useful in confirming the definition of “caring” and reconsidering what nursing is all about. More importantly, consideration and application of this theory may lead to research on its applicability to the field of occupational health nursing. This article presents the science and philosophy of human caring, specifically Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. Two case studies are presented that demonstrate how the theory could be used to evaluate occupational health nursing practice. To demonstrate its possible relevance as an occupational health nursing framework, an analysis of and comparison to existing occupational health nursing guidelines are detailed and discussed.
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ontroversy exists over the emphasis of “nursing” versus “public health” foundations of occupational health nursing. It is recognized that practice draws from many theoretical perspectives. The author found that caring theory struck a chord in re-affirming that relationships and connectedness with others form the underlying basis of her profession.
Nurses use skills, experience, and intuition to deliver safe care. Watson calls skills, experience, and intuition the “trim,” much like a sailor trimming a sail. The nurse also uses standards, guidelines, policies, procedures, and monitoring equipment to guide nursing decisions. Much of what the nurse does is shaped by theory. Like the sailAbout the Author
Ms. Noel is an
occupational health Nursing Practice through the human Caring Lens by Dianne L. Noel, RN, BSN, COHN-S/CM, COHN(c)
a bstraCt
Many health care and academic centers have adopted Watson’s Theory of Human Caring as their guiding principle; the theory is also used in other disciplines, such as library science. Human caring theory offers occupational health nurses a structure that not only defines a focus for practice, but also provides a basis for moral and philosophical practice analyses. In particular, nurses may find this theory useful in confirming the definition of “caring” and reconsidering what nursing is all about. More importantly, consideration and application of this theory may lead to research on its applicability to the field of occupational health nursing. This article presents the science and philosophy of human caring, specifically Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. Two case studies are presented that demonstrate how the theory could be used to evaluate occupational health nursing practice. To demonstrate its possible relevance as an occupational health nursing framework, an analysis of and comparison to existing occupational health nursing guidelines are detailed and discussed.
C
ontroversy exists over the emphasis of “nursing” versus “public health” foundations of occupational health nursing. It is recognized that practice draws from many theoretical perspectives. The author found that caring theory struck a chord in re-affirming that relationships and connectedness with others form the underlying basis of her profession.
Nurses use skills, experience, and intuition to deliver safe care. Watson calls skills, experience, and intuition the “trim,” much like a sailor trimming a sail. The nurse also uses standards, guidelines, policies, procedures, and monitoring equipment to guide nursing decisions. Much of what the nurse does is shaped by theory. Like the sailAbout the Author
Ms. Noel is an
Links: standards of practice. These standards “describe the accountability of the practitioner and reflect the values and priorities of the profession” (AAOHN, 2004, p