Can Someone Be a Nurse Without Jean Watson??

Q. · Nov 19, 2002

Originally posted by gpip
You try to treat everyone the same reguardless of race, creed, color, religion , or sexual orientation.

Who resurrected this thread?!

Ohhhh. Hmmm. I think that's a somewhat slippery opinion to hold. A lot of studies have shown that people are NOT the same and require different treatments based on the situation.

A newly diagnosed male MI patient will have different issues than the woman who just suffered a perinatal loss. To assume they are both grieving in the same manner is not a good assumption, imho. In fact, one study showed that female and males differ greatly in their needs, even with the exact same dx as MI.

sanakruz, ADN · Nov 20, 2002

You are right Suzy.

One should "care " that one gives the best "care".

Watsons work is inspiring, even exciting, but in the end its theory.

Practice is different. Perhaps if one "cared" for 5 pts a year it would be possilbe to "care'' Watson style.

Its a very spiritual way to view the nursing process and I like that. But the spirtual needs of individuals have many variations. No, people are not the same. Yes, one can be a good nurse and not care as Jean watson would care.

Ted · Nov 20, 2002

Originally posted by Susy K
Who resurrected this thread?!

Ohhhh. Hmmm. . . . .

Sorry. . . . oops. . . . :imbar

Anyway. . . may the nursing theorgy gods be with us all. . . .

My favorite theorist?. . . . Don't remember the theorist . . . but the theory had something to do with energy and stars and stuff. . .

I don't necessary agree with it. . . I just like "out-there" theories.

Actually, my favorite theorist is Steve Hawkins. . . but that's another topic for another thread for another bulletin board. . .

Cheers! :)

Ted

Q. · Nov 20, 2002

Bawh! Now isn't that funny; I detest Martha Rogers' theory but I was fascinated by Stephen Hawking (I think that's who you meant).

Kind of a double-standard on my part, I suppose.

Ted · Nov 20, 2002

Originally posted by Susy K
Bawh! Now isn't that funny; I detest Martha Rogers' theory but I was fascinated by Stephen Hawking (I think that's who you meant).

Kind of a double-standard on my part, I suppose.

Stephen Hawking. . . yep, that's the guy! Saw him on the Simsons once. . . :cool:

Cheers! :)

Ted

JWaldron · Mar 7, 2004

Depends on what you mean by 'caring'. I don't think you have to care about the patient as 'Mary Smith' but you do have to care about the patient as a human being, a person who derserves the best I can give them. And I won't say that it always comes easy, but even obnoxious people deserve quality care. Who's Jean Watson?

Savvy

kellacot · Jun 8, 2004

Hi Suzy,

Good question. I personally love Watson's theory and find it is the most evolved theory as a foundation to guide practice. It has never been my impression that Watson suggests that caring is all that it takes. She acknowledges the importance of empirical science and competent skill. My understanding of her work is that she suggests we not be led into a reductionist paradigm that reduces our practice to tasks, skills and emipirics but rather we strive for holistic practice that sees our patients as people, with life contexts, spiritual needs, subjective experiences,etc. For me, "caring" has a broad definition and Watson doesn't suggest that we feel the same for our patients as we do for our moms and dads. I think our concepts of caring need to evolve beyond just an emotional feeling or the old stereotype of the long suffering, self effacing nurse. The fact that you posted this question and sought debate shows a kind of caring.....caring as a political act.....asking questions, defending your competence as a nurse against certain stereotypes etc. I don't think that kindness and caring as part of caring for the sick can ever result in dumbing down nursing. I don't think there is any question that a technologically savvy nurse, skilled, knowledgeable nurse who cares about the patient's experience and attends to their human-ness (ie cares) is a better nurse than the savvy, mechanically skilled nurse who doesn't care. Watson's theory is really less a "nursing theory" than a blueprint for being wholly human. :)

Ok now, as I delve back INTO nursing philosophy and theories, I come across, again, the theories of Jean Watson that have been hailed as the greatest thing since polyurethane IV bags - The Caring Theory of Nursing.
Personally, I have never been a fan of Watson, only because I feel that she OVERemphasized the caring aspect, and, in my opinion, dumbified nursing - hence, the ad campaign in the late 80's "If Caring Were Enough, Anyone Could Be a Nurse." Watson threw a fit when she saw this.
As nursing evolves to a more technically challenging field, requiring more acute assessment skills, and as the
"How Women Know" movement which has shaped nursing education for the last decade or so has become archaic, wondering what your thoughts are on if someone can be a nurse and NOT subscribe to the caring theory. Can one be a competent nurse and NOT care about her patients any more deeply than simply getting the job done?
Watson's theory goes a bit deeper than simply "caring" - more so than "caring" about any other job. But "caring" as far as honestly caring about the patient as you would your mom or dad.
Do you think someone CAN be an effective nurse WITHOUT having so much an emphasis on loving her patients?

pinkiepie · Dec 14, 2004

I am a relatively new nursing student(finishing off semester one:rotfl: ) so my experiences with patients may not be as extensive as some of you all have. My SON's philosophy is straight Watson and we studied it indepth pretty much immediately after beginning school. During lecture I thought it was a bunch of psychobabble, but when I went home and read through it I thought she had some pretty good ideas. HOWEVER, since being on clinical and caring for some very ill patients I have learned the value of keeping my emotional distance. If I viewed every patient as "just like" my mother, father, or child I would absolutely lose my mind:uhoh3: !! So I have come up with my own theory of nursing for me......simply care for each patient as another valuable human being regardless of race, religion or status and remain emotionally detached so that you are able to provide focused competent care. Save all my warm fuzzies for family members and pets! Hope this carries me through many years in the profession

Q. · Dec 14, 2004

It was interesting reading through this thread again. When I originally posted this, I was a first year grad student. I am now in my final semseters and will graduate in August.

After reading much more about Watson, I have actually come to agreement with alot of what she says, mainly about the profession of nursing in general. She has an awesome quote that I use alot:

We are not mechanics and technicians fixing people and diseases, no matter how well we have been professionalized into acting that way.

Watson, 1993.

She speaks about nursing is so much more than tubes and needles; a battle that I have been fighting since I can remember.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2004

Q., interesting how you've come around. Shows you're open-minded.

I'm sure I'll read about in my BSN courses to come. They have a few snippets about her in my first book. The school, however, uses the "Neuman Systems Model". Ever hear of that?

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 14, 2004

It was interesting reading through this thread again. When I originally posted this, I was a first year grad student. I am now in my final semseters and will graduate in August.
After reading much more about Watson, I have actually come to agreement with alot of what she says, mainly about the profession of nursing in general. She has an awesome quote that I use alot:
Watson, 1993.
She speaks about nursing is so much more than tubes and needles; a battle that I have been fighting since I can remember.

I love seeing how people (including me) can broaden their perspective. develop new opinions, etc. as they continue in their education. I know it's kind of a trite expression, but "Thank you for sharing that with us."

If you have a good mind, your thoughts will probably evolve over time. They won't stay exactly the same. Unfortunately, too many of us are too locked into certain ways of thinking to be open to the alternatives.

Take care,

llg

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 15, 2004

I'm sure I'll read about in my BSN courses to come. They have a few snippets about her in my first book. The school, however, uses the "Neuman Systems Model". Ever hear of that?

Neuman Systems Model is the nursing model used in the BSN program at Neumann College (1982 grad) -- first introduced about 1980 (yes, two different spellings of Neuman, triple spellcheck) :uhoh3:

Betty Neuman's archives are now housed at this college:

http://www.neumann.edu/academics/undergrad/nursing/model.asp

Ironic to work in a health system who's nursing care was based on this system theory and see it's influcence in my current home health agency and my practice.