I recently had the opportunity to hear Dr. Jean Watson give a presentation to honor Nurses’ Week. In Dr. Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science, there are essential principles we as nurses need to focus on to provide the best care for our patients.

The core principles include:

• Practice loving-kindness
• Have an authentic presence (enable a deep belief of others)
• Grow your spiritual practice toward wholeness of mind/body/spirit
• Be the caring-healing environment
• Be open to unexpected and inexplicable life events

In Caring Science, we as nurses need as much knowledge in caring as we do in curing. When we put caring into science, we provide the best care for our patients. 

Dr. Watson believes it is essential that we “Pause to Care!”  Before any patient interaction, center yourself on the compassion you need to provide not only to your patients, but to yourself as well. In the busy day and age we live in, this is so very important! Remember that every human being needs to be heard, seen, know that they matter, and needs to have touch. Look at your patients beyond their physical disease process and truly apply the principle of caring for that patient. Being present with your patients is important too.

There are 4 million nurses in the U.S. (and counting) and we have an opportunity to make a difference– one patient at a time! As Dr. Watson stated, “Nursing offers to the world what the world needs – human caring and peace!

Dr. Watson explained nursing as a spiritual practice and a calling. A transpersonal caring relationship connects us to a spiritual level, which allows us to provide healing for patients.  We need to connect mind, body, and spirit together to allow healing to transcend within our patients.

We have come a long way since the time of Florence Nightingale, but we still have so many more opportunities to provide outstanding care to the patients that we serve each day. So, keep striving to advance care to your patients so they have the best opportunity to heal and recover.

More information on Dr. Jean Watson’s theory can be found on her website.