Jean Watson’s Theory

Jean Watson’s Theory

Madeline N. Gerzon BSN11C TFN

Jean Watson  Jean Watson developed her theory while

she was having a personal experience (husband’s death) in her life  She molded her professional and

personal life in order to develop her theory

Education  Graduated High School in West Virginia  Graduated the Lewis Gale School of

Nursing in 1961  Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from University of Colorado, Boulder Campus in 1964

Education  Master’s Degree in Psychiatric-Mental

Health Nursing from University of Colorado, Health Sciences Campus in 1966  Doctorate in Educational Psychology and

Counseling from the University of Colorado, Graduate School in 1973

Employment  Distinguished Professor of Nursing and

holds an endowed Chair in Caring Science at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center  Founder of the original Center for Human

Caring in Colorado and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

Employment  Served as Dean of Nursing at the

University Health Sciences Center and is a Past President of the National League for Nursing  Involved in early planning of the PhD

program in Colorado

Employment  Published

Published Writer Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring (1979, 1985)  Nursing: Human Science and Human Care – A Nursing Theory (1985, 1988, 1999)  Postmodern Nursing and Beyond (1999) 

Achievements 



Recipient of several awards and honors including: an international Kellogg Fellowship in Australia, a Fulbright Research Award in Sweden and six Honorary Doctoral Degrees, including 3 International Honorary Doctorates (Sweden, United Kingdom, and Quebec) She was the 1993 recipient of the National League for Nursing Martha E. Rogers Award, which recognizes a nurse scholar who has made significant contributions to nursing knowledge that advances the science of caring in nursing and health sciences.

Achievements  New York University recognized her as a

Distinguished Nurse Scholar  In 1999, the Fetzer Institute honored her with the national Norman Cousins Award in recognition of her commitment to developing; maintaining and exemplifying relationship-centered care practices.

Transpersonal Caring  Focuses on individuals and meaning for

their quality of life 



Caring involves sensitivity, respect, and high moral and ethical commitment Places care before cure

Transpersonal Caring Caring becomes the ethical standard by which we measure nursing  Caring preserves human dignity  Caring is a choice  Emphasis on nurse-patient relationship 

Jean Watson  She believed health was related to having

“harmony, resulting from unity of body, mind, and soul.”

Jean Watson Philosophy and Science of Caring

Philosophy and Science of Caring  Caring can be demonstrated and

practiced  Caring consists of carative factors

Philosophy and Science of Caring  Caring promotes growth  A caring environment accepts a

person as he is and looks to what the person may become

Philosophy and Science of Caring  A caring environment offers

development of potential  Caring promotes health better than

curing  Caring is central to nursing

The Caritas Process  Caritas comes from

the Latin word meaning to cherish, to appreciate, to give special attention, if not loving, attention to; it connotes something that is very fine, that indeed is precious

The Caritas Process  Both postmodern and traditional  Invites nurse to explore the intersection

between personal and professional

Watson’s 10 Carative Factors 1.

Formation of humanistic-altruistic value system

3.

Instillation of faith-hope

5.

Cultivation of sensitivity to one’s self and others

Watson’s 10 Carative Factors 1.

Development helping-trust relationship

3.

Promotion and acceptance of expression of positive and negative feelings

Watson’s 10 Carative Factors 2.

Systematic use of the scientific problem-solving method for decision making

4.

Promotion of interpersonal teachinglearning

Watson’s 10 Carative Factors 1.

Provision for a supportive, protective, and corrective mental, physical, sociocultural, and spiritual environment

3.

Assistance with the gratification of human needs

Watson’s 10 Carative Factors 1.

Allowance for existentialphenomenological forces

Watson’s Metaparadigm Concepts  Person 

Human being to be valued, cared for, respected, nurtured, understood and assisted

Watson’s Metaparadigm Concepts  Environment 

Society

Watson’s Metaparadigm Concepts  Health 

Complete physical, mental and social well-being and functioning

Watson’s Metaparadigm Concepts  Nursing 

Concerned with promoting and restoring health, preventing illness