Introduction
The role of an APN is essential on multiple different levels. While it is critical to follow all the guidelines regarding providing patients with the best care possible, it is crucial to apply an emotional aspect to the communication and relationship with the person receiving the care. The most rewarding experience of being an APN is seeing the patients satisfied, which can be achieved through providing patient-centered care. This means the person has to be viewed as an individual rather than an object. One’s individual preferences, traits, desires, and overview have to be considered as all these factors for the human being. Moreover, it is critical to build an interpersonal connection for the other party to feel the involvement of the nurse not only in seeing beneficial physical results but also in emotional ones. Thus, the aim is to connect with the patients on a personal level and create an open environment in which both parties are emotionally involved in providing high-quality care.
Watson’s Theory
Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is an excellent tool that helps nurses form a deeper connection with patients and encourages such feelings as empathy, mutual respect, and spiritual openness. Thus, the theory itself suggests the use of emotional involvement alongside scientific approaches. Watson’s theory allows nurses to see their patients as human beings rather than objects that require care. The technique is based on the interpersonal relationship between the healthcare provider and receiver, which increases the level of openness, trust, and understanding between the two. This is beneficial both for the patient who is satisfied with such a genuine approach and the nurse who can connect with someone on a deeper level.
Watson’s Theory in Practice
Watson’s Theory is relatively easy to put into practice since the nurse practitioner is to apply an emotional depth to providing care. Thus, since an APN is, most of the time, psychologically involved in building trust and openness in relationships with patients, the Theory of Human Caring provides even more insight into how to achieve it. In practice, nurses are to address one’s physical and spiritual health as a whole. This means that once a patient is comfortable on all levels, satisfaction increases, which cannot be achieved if only the physical needs are addressed. Moreover, nurses are to emphasize one’s emotional well-being without disregarding the medical condition and the treatment. On the other hand, the practice allows patients to feel an open environment in which nurses are friends and healthcare providers at the same time. Patients feel like they are more than their diagnosis or illnesses and are treated as individuals with different preferences, desires, and needs.
The Outcomes of Applying the Watson’s Theory
Watson’s Theory of Human Care is not only beneficial when nurses put it into practice but also correlates with positive outcomes. For instance, patients tend to be satisfied when nurses are emotionally involved in providing care. Moreover, the medical providers themselves are more confident since there are no strict restraints in maintaining purely professional relationships with the individuals who need care. It is also essential to point out that such an approach is potentially positive in terms of overall safety. Patients are more open during communication and are willing to disclose some details that may be useful for healthcare workers during treatment or diagnosis. Last but not least, the improvements are highlighted in both mental and physical functioning. Since both are considered by the APN, it is certain that besides seeing beneficial changes in one’s health, the results also touch upon psychological well-being.
Five Carative Factors of Caritas Processes
The Caritas processes are based on the notion of cherishing a patient as an individual. This is a rather spiritual approach mixed with science in terms of providing care that heals the body while considering the soul. The first factor within such a technique is having a humanistic approach aimed toward helping the person in need while applying empathy. Another concept is faith and hope, which also touches upon spirituality and gives the individual a greater meaning or something to believe in even during challenging medical situations. Moreover, the notion of sensitivity to one’s integrity, choice, and preferences is also critical. It is also essential to build the relationship on trust and understanding rather than on purely professional interactions in which the nurse is only focused on treating the body. Based on the theory, nurses have to accept the positive and negative aspects of patients and their decisions. Thus, this will give them an understanding that the medical provider is open to accepting the complexity of the patient’s personality.
The other factors that are a part of the Caritas processes include a focus on proficient decision-making when solving problems. This means that a problem is always complex and requires a broader view with all the concepts that correlate with it considered. Moreover, based on this framework, nurses are to be open to learning new things and open-minded when sharing information with colleagues and patients. It is also essential to build an environment based on support and cooperation where patients feel their well-being requires team effort (Turkel et al., 2017). As mentioned before, each patient is different and requires a different approach. Thus, nurses have to look at each case to decide how to apply patient-centered care. Another critical concept is applying a sense of spirituality to communication and treatment. This will ensure that one’s mental well-being is focused on positive outcomes and is in a good place in terms of psychological health.
Personal Overview of the Theory of Caring
In my personal opinion, the Theory of Caring is effective in both personal and professional settings. The core of this technique is forming relationships based on empathy and altruism, which rarely does not work. Most of the time, people tend to appreciate when someone approaches them with kindness instead of being overly careful and professional without being the slightest bit emotional. Applying some of the concepts of Watson’s theory is beneficial in terms of communication. I have noticed that patients are more open when they feel understood and reveal some details that would otherwise be left out. It is also critical to mention that I have noticed benefits in my well-being since there is two-sided kindness that applies to both parties participating in an exchange. Last but not least, the theory facilitates cooperation. I have observed that people who are being approached from an altruistic perspective tend to be less likely to be ignorant and indifferent when someone gives them medical advice or asks them to follow certain health-related rules.
APN Implications of Human Caring
The APN’s objective is to respect each patient, as the person seeking help is to be treated as a human rather than an object. Another implication is being careful with the fact that each individual is different, which means that the approach has to differ based on the individual needs. Moreover, APNs have to consider spiritual factors alongside the physical aspects. Thus, what is being considered is not limited to the treatment per se but also applies emotional and moral motivation as a means to improve one’s well-being. One more critical factor is the openness to learn from the patients. Based on the theory, the medical provider and the patient are a team with the same objective. In a team, everyone is equal, even if the roles differ. Thus, the nurse has to be open to listening and learning alongside teaching and advising.
Conclusion
The Theory of Human Caring is effective when applied by APNs since it helps overcome difficulties in building a close relationship and connection with the patient. The effectiveness is highlighted through the beneficial outcomes for both the healthcare provider and the individual receiving the care. On the one hand, patients see that the nurses see their individualities and are truly interested in applying a humanistic approach. On the other hand, APNs can see professional and personal growth from being emotionally involved in their work. Thus, Watson’s theory is proficient in addressing spiritual and physical well-being as a complex solution since patients tend to see better outcomes when their bodies and minds receive high-level treatment based on humanistic concepts and understanding.
References
Joel, L. A. (2018). Advanced practice nursing: Essentials for role development. Davis.
Turkel, M. C., Watson, J., & Giovannoni, J. (2017). Caring science or science of caring. Nursing Science Quarterly, 31(1), 66–71. Web.