Jean Watson, Nursing Theorist

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Jean Watson came to our hospital to speak about her caring module because (ta dah), we are again going on the Magnet Journey, even though we failed (deservingly so) earlier this year. It was so boring that we wanted to scream. Most of the people were dozing off, I was sending text messages just to stay awake (grateful for the plan that includes 200 text messages per month for $5.00 today, for sure). While I can admit that some suggestions she gave are things that I already use in my personal life, such as crystals, healing/prayer wells, sacred space, etc...but this was not an earthshaking experience. In fact, they had to force us to attend. It was mandatory that we come early (I work the late clinic), paid overtime or compensary time to attend this, and the response was so lackluster that I had to laugh. She asked when she was finished if anyone had any questions-dead silence. Then, she asked if anyone had a caring moment to share-again, dead silence. You could have heard a single snow flake land in that auditorium. Then, she said "Anyone?" almost desperately, and someone decided to say something just so that we can get out of there. I took that opportunity to sneak out the back door.

What disturbs me is that it seems that these theories are not used in real life. We have no compassion for each other, no consideration from our supervisors or nursing managers. This woman didn't give me incentive, because I know what it will be like when she placed her feet out of the door. No one wants Magnet, because this facility doesn't deserve it. The way nursing seems to be sinking, even if Florence Nightingale herself walked through the door, she could not bring a positive reception. Just venting...

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Specializes in MedSurg.

Hmmm. Name sounds vagely familiar, but I don't remember her or all that theory malarky. We barely have time to take care of our patients without trying to do all that other stuff. To me, you either have it or you don't. There are some people, with their personalities, that really should not be a nurse. Yes, caring is important. But I've cared for many patients that I've had to really bite my tongue to be the "caring nurse," and others who make it very easy to do so. Either way, they all get professional care from me and I do all I can to help them heal and be an advocate for their needs. If you come to a point where you are unable to show compassion and care for your patients the way they deserve - whether you like them or not - you need to rethink your role as a nurse and maybe make a career change. Classes and speeches by so-called "theory experts" shouldn't be necessary to "make" this kind of nurse. Like I said before, you either are or you aren't. P.S. to pagandeva2000 - I love the rat pack picture. I've got it hanging on my wall.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Hmmm. Name sounds vagely familiar, but I don't remember her or all that theory malarky. We barely have time to take care of our patients without trying to do all that other stuff. To me, you either have it or you don't. There are some people, with their personalities, that really should not be a nurse. Yes, caring is important. But I've cared for many patients that I've had to really bite my tongue to be the "caring nurse," and others who make it very easy to do so. Either way, they all get professional care from me and I do all I can to help them heal and be an advocate for their needs. If you come to a point where you are unable to show compassion and care for your patients the way they deserve - whether you like them or not - you need to rethink your role as a nurse and maybe make a career change. Classes and speeches by so-called "theory experts" shouldn't be necessary to "make" this kind of nurse. Like I said before, you either are or you aren't. P.S. to pagandeva2000 - I love the rat pack picture. I've got it hanging on my wall.

I think my issue is that the same administration that paid the big bucks to get her to speak will not uphold any situation to allow any of her theories to actually take place. I feel that I essentially wasted two hours of my time listening to pipe dreams.:angryfire

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ha ha ha!

this is the exact quote (or very simliar) from my professor when she came to the jean watson powerpoint slides during a lecture: "I won't bore you all with this crap, just know that it's the caring theory. It won't be on the test. Moving on..."

So that's all I know about jean watson. i didn't bother reading about it since she said it wouldn't be on the exam.

i love how hospitals think that sending employees to mandatory meetings is somehow going to change their outlook and/or attitude on the unit.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

great discussion:

can someone be a nurse without jean watson?? - 12th sep, 09:28 am ...

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My RN-BSN Accelerated Program has Jean Watson as it's theorist. She came to our campus last summer. I went to a breakfast with her - she was very kind and sweet. She is a little new-agey . .. . not something I am interested in but I did sense a true caring spirit. She gave a talk later to nurses from throughout our county. I missed that because I was heading to San Diego and needed to catch a flight.

steph

Pagandeva - I just noticed your Maya Angelou quote and had to say I feel NO connection to her at all and she seems waaaay out there to me. But I'll bet she and Jean would have great conversations. :-)

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Specializes in MedSurg.

I agree.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I am new agey myself, so I was able to connect to some of it on a personal level, however, I feel that paying anyone a substantial amount of money and then, now really take what message was imparted to heart makes it a waste of time.

I do sense that she is caring, but sometimes, I think it is easier to be that way when you are not in the trenches.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
My RN-BSN Accelerated Program has Jean Watson as it's theorist. She came to our campus last summer. I went to a breakfast with her - she was very kind and sweet. She is a little new-agey . .. . not something I am interested in but I did sense a true caring spirit. She gave a talk later to nurses from throughout our county. I missed that because I was heading to San Diego and needed to catch a flight.

steph

Pagandeva - I just noticed your Maya Angelou quote and had to say I feel NO connection to her at all and she seems waaaay out there to me. But I'll bet she and Jean would have great conversations. :-)

Maya Angelou way out there? Yeah, you can say that...most poets and artistic people tend to be. The quote made sense to me because it reminds me that people usually show their true selves early in the game, but we tend to repress it or pretend what we really saw was not true. Can lead to lots of problems in my opinion. We can be respectful and work together well, but there is nothing wrong with knowing in your heart that the person next to you may be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
ha ha ha!

this is the exact quote (or very simliar) from my professor when she came to the jean watson powerpoint slides during a lecture: "I won't bore you all with this crap, just know that it's the caring theory. It won't be on the test. Moving on..."

So that's all I know about jean watson. i didn't bother reading about it since she said it wouldn't be on the exam.

i love how hospitals think that sending employees to mandatory meetings is somehow going to change their outlook and/or attitude on the unit.

Yeah...I agree with your professor totally. And, for sure, being mandated, threatened and intimidated to attend a meeting that will not produce a caring administration is not that thrilling. We still had tons of work to get back to and attitudes to endure.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

thanks for posting the link. i just read the first page and it brought about food for thought. many of the feelings i had already. i'll read the rest when i get home.

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Maya Angelou way out there? Yeah, you can say that...most poets and artistic people tend to be. The quote made sense to me because it reminds me that people usually show their true selves early in the game, but we tend to repress it or pretend what we really saw was not true. Can lead to lots of problems in my opinion. We can be respectful and work together well, but there is nothing wrong with knowing in your heart that the person next to you may be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

No, that quote I liked - sorry it was late and I needed to be more clear.

I've heard Maya read her poetry, I've read some of her books, I mostly don't connect to her style.

steph

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