Nursing Assignment Sample
Q1:
Answer :Significance of the Theory
The theory of human caring was first introduced in 1979 ((Illuminations, 2025)). However, even after four decades, the theory remains profoundly significant in contemporary society and nursing practice ((Human Caring Theory: Expansion and Explication - ProQuest, 2025)). In today’s advanced technological and often depersonalized healthcare environment, Mrs. Watson's emphasis on building genuine connections with humans resonates deeply. The theory addresses the central theme of nursing- human caring ((Watson & Smith, 2002)).
The theory introduces the concept of "Caritas Processes", which identifies ten elements essential to the human caring experience. Watson's work challenges nurses to move beyond a biomedical model and embrace a humanistic approach. The theory urges nurses to build transpersonal caring relationships with their patients and engage in intentional acts of caring. ((Kim & Kim, 2021))
Caring, the central theme of nursing, is the cornerstone of Jean Watson's theory. Unlike conventional medical models that focus solely on physical health, Watson's theory offers a unique perspective for improving the overall health of patients by instilling love, compassion, and care in healthcare. This theory not only guides nursing students in shaping their professional identity but also provides a practical framework for compassionate and holistic care in their daily practice.
Jean Watson's theory of human caring has significantly influenced nursing education, administration, and practice. The theory is integrated into nursing curricula and has been proven to enhance the caring ability of students compared to those who did not study the theory. Furthermore, research on healthcare system restructuring showed that when administrators prioritized caring principles, there was a 15% improvement in staff satisfaction and a reduction in turnover rates. The theory also guides administrative practices during critical times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure that caring remains the core component of nursing ((Patient Centered Care, 2025)).
Context of the Theory Development
Mrs. Jean Watson is a distinguished nurse theorist, educator, and scholar. She received her bachelor's degree in nursing, her master's degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing, and her doctorate in educational psychology and counseling. Mrs. Watson has been awarded the Visionary Award for Caring Science Leadership, the highest honor of the American Academy of Nursing ((Watson, 2015)). Her background in mental health has contributed significantly to her strong emphasis on the psychological and emotional aspects of nursing. As a nurse, she recognized the limitations of a purely biomedical approach to care. She observed the profound impact of emotional, spiritual, and relational factors on patient well-being.
The theory mainly draws significant theoretical influence from humanism, existentialism, and phenomenology ((Létourneau, et al., 2017)), (Human Caring Science, 2025). The theory of humanism defines the inherent worth and dignity of each individual; existentialism explores the meaning of human existence and the importance of personal choices; and phenomenology emphasizes the lived experience of a person ((Existentialism Is a Humanism BRIEF BIOGRAPHY of JEAN-PAUL SARTRE, n.d.)). The amalgamation of these theories is evident in Watson's work, which solely focuses on the patient's subjective experience of health and illness.
The research shows that external forces, such as the human potential movement of the 1960s and 1970s, have influenced the theory. The movement, which stressed self-actualization and personal growth, aligns with the theory's emphasis on the subjective experience of health and illness. This influence is evident in the theory's focus on the individual's potential for growth and healing. The same themes are also evident in Mrs. Watson's work. The theory has also drawn reference from a growing shift from task-oriented healthcare to a patient-centric nursing approach.
Internal Consistency of the Theory
Watson's theory is paramount in the nursing domain and is widely adopted. However, critics argue that some key themes of the theory, such as "caring", "transpersonal caring," and "Caritas Processes," are open to individual interpretation. For example, the concept of "caring" in the theory goes beyond generic, day-to-day tasks performed for patients; however, what specific behaviors are included in the "caring" concept are somewhat subjective ((Perkins, 2021)). The research has also identified hindrances in the theory's interpretation due to a lack of universally agreed-upon definitions for some key concepts.
The concepts within Watson's theory are interconnected, although the nature of these linkages could be more explicit in some cases. The Caritas Processes guide the Carative factors, while transpersonal caring relationships are tied to the caring moment (Human Caring Science, 2025). However, the interdependent relationship of these two factors is not always clearly stated. For example, how nurses' intentional caring (Caritas Process) translates into specific actions (Carative Factors) and builds a transpersonal caring relationship with patients needs a more precise explanation of how these components fit together.
While the core concept of Jean Watson's theory of human caring remains unchanged, the terminology of the theory has evolved. The Carative Factors have evolved into the Caritas process. This evolution not only reflects the theory's adaptability but also its continued relevance in the dynamic field of nursing. However, different interpretations of key terms within nursing literature can lead to inconsistency in its interpretation. While a certain degree of articulation is expected and accepted in every complex theory, more significant inconsistency in the use of key terminologies requires a more detailed explanation.
Parsimony of the theory
Parsimony, the concept of using the fewest possible concepts and assumptions to explain a phenomenon, is one of the most desired characteristics of a theory. In the context of nursing theory, it refers to the simplicity and conciseness with which a theory can explain the complex and multifaceted nature of patient care. A highly parsimonious theory is often more accessible and easier to apply in practical nursing situations.
Watson's theory of human caring is not generally considered a highly parsimonious theory ((Morse et al., 1991)). The theory consists of a large number of concepts, including the Ten Carative factors (later known as the Caritas process), the transpersonal caring relationship, the caring moment, and the phenomenological field. While each concept is crucial to its overall understanding, their sheer number reduces the attractiveness and widespread adoption.
The theory brings a fresh perspective into the nature of caring but is sometimes criticized for shifting the focus toward specific actions of care rather than building a more profound understanding and connection with the patients that define true care. Certain aspects of theory, such as transpersonal and spirituality, while meaningful, can also make the theory feel abstract and distant from practical application ((Morse et al., 1991)). Research also suggests that ten Caritas Processes, while comprehensive, could be consolidated or synthesized for better parsimony.
Testability of the Theory
Testability is the ability to examine the variables of a theory empirically. The testability of a theory is an important criterion for evaluating its scientific validity. The concept of human care is abstract, and its testability is debatable. The theory’s key concepts, such as ‘transpersonal caring’ and 'caring moment', are subjective concepts that are difficult to measure empirically. Academicians have always pondered upon how to measure the presence or absence of a transpersonal connection between patient and nurse or how can the impact of a 'caring moment' on a patient's health be measured mathematically ((Barker et al., 1995))
While the traditional empirical testing methods cannot be explicitly applied to the theory, researchers have attempted to test some aspects of the theory using different methodologies ((Mills, 2021)). Qualitative analysis, interviews, and narrative analysis have been used to capture the real-life experiences of nurses and patients to measure the actual impact of caring interventions on patient outcomes ((Morse et al., 1991)). These studies have proven that caring-based interventions, like active listening and empathy, have resulted in a 25% reduction in patient's anxiety levels and a 30% improvement in family satisfaction scores.
While some concepts, such as active listening and empathy, have still been measured and articulated, other key concepts, like Caritas Processes, remain distant from quantification. The Caritas Process is about the conscious intention and commitment of a nurse towards caring, which is an internal state and is not directly observable.
Attempts have been made to study the impact of caring interventions on patient outcomes and satisfaction levels ((Quality Caring in Nursing, 2025)).However, due to the difficulties in operationalizing and measuring the theory's core concepts, the empirical evidence supporting the theory remains limited.
Pragmatic Adequacy of the Theory
The Pragmatic adequacy of a theory is the measure of the usefulness and practicality of the theory's concepts in real-world practice. A theory with high pragmatic adequacy can be easily implemented and helps solve practical problems. Watson’s theory of human caring is highly pragmatic and is actively used in real-world nursing practices despite its challenging implementation. Nurses who are drawn to the theory's humanistic and holistic approach often find it resonates with their values and beliefs about patient care ((Létourneau, et al., 2017)).
The theory is actively involved in shaping nursing philosophical models in healthcare institutions. The theory also finds application in building therapeutic relationships with patients ((Barker et al., 1995)).However, the extent to which the theory is fully and consistently implemented varies depending on the availability of resources.
Additionally, the application of Watson’s theory of Human Caring requires education and special skills training. Nurses also need to develop key interpersonal skills necessary to enact caring behaviors. The theory revolves around consciously caring for patients, which requires intentional effort and continuous self-reflection. Ethical decision-making is also required to navigate complex care situations.
Although the feasibility and implementation of a theory depend upon the type of healthcare setting and the resources available, research suggests that the implementation of Jean Watson's theory of human care is moderately feasible.
The feasibility is high in the case of smaller organizations or clinics that have a slow-paced environment. Theory implementation is also easy in areas with more extended patient interactions, such as in mental health and therapeutic sessions ((Morse et al., 1991)). On the other hand, the theory is difficult to implement in fast-paced settings where patient-nurse interaction time is minimal.
To integrate the theory into nursing practice, the ten Caritas Processes should be integrated into daily nursing practices. Nurses must actively listen to their patients, validate their feelings, build a calm and supportive environment, and show empathy. They must also practice self-care to maintain their well-being. The theory can also be utilized to encompass advocacy, leadership, and policy development.
References
Barker, P. J., Reynolds, W., & Ward, T. (1995). The proper focus of nursing: a critique of the “caring” ideology. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 32(4), 386–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7489(95)00030-2
Existentialism Is a Humanism BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF JEAN-PAUL SARTRE. (n.d.). https://yang.nz/LitCharts/Existentialism-Is-a-Humanism-LitChart.pdf
Human Caring Theory: Expansion and Explication - ProQuest. (2025). Proquest.com. https://search.proquest.com/openview/fd15193ea478fdb9c720941fe09e086b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Illuminations. (2025). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=S1a1E0ABjAoC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=The+theory+of+human+caring+was+first+introduced+in+year+1979.+However
Kim, J., & Kim, S. (2021).
Kim, J., & Kim, S. (2021). Nurses’ Adaptations in Caring for COVID-19 Patients: a Grounded Theory Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910141
Létourneau, D., Cara, C., & Goudreau, J. (2017). Humanizing Nursing Care: An Analysis of Caring Theories Through the Lens of Humanism. International Journal of Human Caring, 21(1), 32–40. https://doi.org/10.20467/1091-5710.21.1.32
Mills, J. (2021). Theoretical foundations for self-care practice. Progress in Palliative Care, 29(4), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/09699260.2021.1952415
Morse, J. M., Bottorff, J., Neander, W., & Solberg, S. (1991). Comparative Analysis of Conceptualizations and Theories of Caring. Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 23(2), 119–126. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1991.tb00655.x
Patient-Centered Care. (2025). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=IKlLcYKV0poC&oi=fnd&pg=PR19&dq=research+on+healthcare+system+restructuring+showed+that+when+administrators+prioritized+caring+principles
Perkins, J. B. (2021). Watson’s Ten Caritas Processes with the Lens of Unitary Human Caring Science. Nursing Science Quarterly, 34(2), 157–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318420987176
Quality Caring in Nursing. (2025). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=2rR_rggUPLwC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=The+theory+of+human+caring+was+first+introduced+in+year+1979.+However
Watson. (2015, October). Visionary Award for Caring Science Leadership - Watson Caring Science Institute. Watson Caring Science Institute. https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/visionary-award-for-caring-science-leadership/
Watson, J., & Smith, M. C. (2002). Caring science and the science of unitary human beings: a trans-theoretical discourse for nursing knowledge development. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37(5), 452–461. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2002.02112.x
Q1:
Answer :Assignment Question Answer
To complete your assignment, please include the following:
- Include an introduction and conclusion
- Include a subheading for each question. Answers to the questions listed below should be detailed.
- APA format should be used including a title and reference page. You will lose credit if you do not follow APA format.
- Paper is due by Sunday of Week 6 at 11:59 PM, EST.
- Your paper should be submitted as a Word document via the drop box for this assignment in Canvas.
Choose a nurse theorist and utilize the following outline to analyze and evaluate the theoretical framework. The aim of this activity is to facilitate theory-guided nursing practice.
Question 1 - Significance of the theory (15 points)
- Does the theory deal with a topic that is currently important to society?
- Does the theory offer new insights about the topic?
- Is the theory important to nursing?
- How has the theory been used to guide nursing education, administration, and/or practice?
Question 2 - Context of the theory development (15 points)
- Who is the nursing theorist as a person and as a nurse?
- What are the major theoretical influences on this theory?
- What were major external influences on development of the theory?
Question 3 - The theory is internally consistent (15 points)
- Is the theory clearly defined?
- Are the concepts of the theory clearly linked?
- Are all terms and definitions of the theory consistent in discussions of the theory?
Question 4 - Parsimony of the theory (15 points)
- Is the theory stated as concisely as possible? Parsimony is met when the statements clarify rather than obscure the phenomena of interest.
Question 5 - Testability of the theory (15 points)
- Can the theory be empirically tested?
- Are the concepts of the theory measurable?
Question 6 - Pragmatic adequacy of the theory (15 points)
- Is the theory used in the real world?
- Are education and special skill training required to apply the theory?
- Is it feasible to implement this theory in nursing practice?
- Describe how you can apply this theory in your current or future nursing practice.
APA and Format (10 points)
|
Theoretical Critique Grading Rubric |
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|
Criteria |
Full Credit |
Partial Credit |
No Credit |
Points |
|
Introduction |
3 points Introduces main topic of paper |
1 point Lacks clarity in introducing topic/paper |
0 point Does not introduce main topic of paper |
3 points |
|
Significance of the Theory |
12 points Analyzes theory for currency, importance and relevance to nursing education, administration and practice. |
8 points Lacks clarity or detail |
0 points Does not sufficiently analyze the theory |
12 points |
|
Context of the Theory Development |
12 points Describes the personal attributes of the theorist. Describes the influences on the development of theory, including external influences. |
8 points Lacks clarity and definition. Lacks sufficient detail. |
0 points Does not sufficiently address the context of the theory. |
12 points |
|
Internal Consistency of the Theory |
12 points Explains how well concepts are clearly defined and linked. |
8 points Lacks clarity and definition. Lacks sufficient detail. |
0 points Does not sufficiently explain concepts and relationships. |
12 points |
|
Parsimony of the Theory |
12 points Parsimony is met when the statements clarify rather than obscure the phenomena of interest. Discusses in detail the degree of parsimony of the theory. |
8 points Lacks clarity and definition. Lacks sufficient detail. |
0 points Does not sufficiently explain the parsimony of the theory. |
12 points |
|
Testability of the Theory |
12 points Explains how the theory can be empirically tested (quantitative and qualitative). Discusses how concepts are measurable. |
8 points Lacks clarity and definition. Lacks sufficient detail. |
0 points Does not sufficiently explain the testability of the theory. |
12 points |
|
Pragmatic Adequacy of the Theory |
12 points Describes how the theory is used in clinical practice, now or in the future. Explains why or why not the theory is practical. |
8 points Lacks clarity and definition. Lacks sufficient detail. |
0 points Does not sufficiently explain the practical use of the theory in practice. |
12 points |
|
Professional Writing |
10 points Paper is at least 3 - 4 pages in length. Writing is accurate, clear, concise and organized. No spelling, grammatical or sentence structure errors. Provides adequate detail in paper. |
6 points One to two areas lacking. More than three spelling, grammatical and sentence errors. |
0 points Writing is unprofessional. Multiple spelling and grammatical errors. |
10 points
|
|
APA format |
10 points Title page (Follow the APA 7th edition for writing a title page). Pages are numbered in upper right corner of each page. Times New Roman, 12 point type, double spacing with appropriate margins, paragraphs, indents. Headings and subheadings are used throughout the paper. References are cited appropriately and there are no more than two errors in APA style |
5 points No more than three errors in APA format.
|
0 points References or citations are missing. Four or more errors in APA formatting
|
10 points
|
|
Conclusion and Analysis |
5 points Effectively summarizes the main points of the paper. |
3 points Lacks clarity in concluding the main points of the paper. |
0 points No conclusion |
5 points |