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Caring Concept
Student’s Name
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Several concepts guiding nursing practice, research, and theory influence nursing. This
paper aims to conceptually analyze the caring concept to understand its application in practice,
theory, and research. Furthermore, this paper aims to provide the definition, attributes,
antecedent, consequences, and operational definitions of the caring concept and come up with
conclusions on how professional nurses apply this concept in their everyday lives.
Literature Review
This section of the paper highlights available literature that discusses the application of
the caring concept in nursing practice, theory, and research.
Application in Practice
Nursing practice requires an individual to have more than just the necessary medical
knowledge and skills to be successful. That necessitated the introduction of the caring concept as
an important concept to guide nursing practice (Cook & Peden, 2017). According to Karlsson
and Pennbrant (2020), the application of the caring concept in practice requires nurses to be
observant, open, and courteous and treat patients as people to promote a sense of personal
meaning in the caring relationship. Consequently, many people consider nursing practice and
caring synonymously. Many people select nursing as their profession due to their desire to
provide care for other people in need. Kongsuwan et al. (2018) argue that this relationship
between nursing practice and the caring concept has resulted in nurses identifying their
profession as a caring one. Therefore, nurses can utilize self-reflection in creating a cognizance
of the importance of caring in nursing practice.
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Application in Theory
The caring concept has been at the center of nursing theory since the time of Florence
Nightingale in the mid-19th century. This is highlighted in Nightingale’s ideology and teachings.
Nightingale emphasize the significance of nurses using their hearts, hands, and brains, to create
healing milieus to provide care for the patient’s spirit, body, and mind (Riegel et al., 2021).
However, the application of the caring concept in nursing theory did not gain momentum until
the 1970s when Dr Jean Watson introduced it in her theory of the science of human caring. This
theory believes that while a disease may be cured, a patient's illness is likely to remain because
caring is the only way to attain health (Pajnkihar et al., 2017). The application of this concept, in
theory, provides that caring is the lifeblood of nursing.
Applications in Research
The caring concept has informed a range of nursing research to improve patient outcomes
and satisfaction. For instance, Pajnkihar et al. (2017) applied this concept to explore the
relationship between the viewpoint of nursing professionals on Watson's curative factors and
patient satisfaction. The study indicated that patients who received care from nurses with a
deeper understanding of the caring concept were more satisfied with the services received. The
concept was also applied by Akansel et al.(2020) to understand the nurse's perception of caring
activities in their profession. The researchers found that the concept of caring is critical to the
provision of holistic nursing care in the healthcare setting. Therefore, the application of this
concept in research has enabled an expanded view of the importance of caring in nursing
education and practice.
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Definition of Concept
In this section, both the theoretical and operational definitions of the caring concept are
provided to enhance additional understanding of the concept.
Theoretical Definition
Watson’s theory of caring provides the foundation for the theoretical definition of the
caring concept. Watson considers caring as the moral obligation of nursing focusing on
safeguarding, enhancing, and upholding human dignity (Cook & Peden, 2017). This means that
this concept incorporates values, willingness, commitment, knowledge, an active demonstration
of caring actions, and consequences of the caring process. This concept is theoretically
associated with the patient's response to health illness, environmental interactions, and a
comprehension of a person's power and transaction limits (Kongsuwan et al., 2018). However, it
is noteworthy that the essence of the value of human care and caring is likely to be worthless
unless it results in a philosophical action and that the actual concrete action of caring transcends
the value of caring.
Operational Definition
The operational definition of the caring concept provides an avenue for its
operationalization and assessment to develop its validity and reliability. Furthermore, Souza et
al. (2023) argue that operationalizing the caring concept highlights its appropriateness or
usefulness and is, therefore, critical for the advancement of the concept in nursing practice.
Empirical evidence supports the operational definition of this concept as it provides the
measurements of the concept in nursing and supports the development of a measurement
instrument. Therefore, care process outcomes can be used to highlight the operational definition
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of the caring concept (Karlsson & Pennbrant, 2020). For instance, patient satisfaction surveys
can assess and reflect the concept of caring.
Defining Attributes and Justification
Caring is the act of feeling or showing concern for or kindness towards other people.
Therefore, Akansel et al. (2020) argue that the caring attributes that nurses often experience
include connecting with the patient, entering into the world of the patient, promoting honesty,
and demonstrating resilience to possible uncertainties in every patient's state of health. These are
essential attributes that enable the acknowledgment of the fact that a caring nurse is an entire
package, and nurses have to compete and demonstrate interest while taking note of vulnerability
and reaching out to provide comfort. The caring concept requires nurses to exhibit a range of
attributes, including comforting, attentive listening, patient, responsible, and offering information
to patients to support informed decision-making (Butts & Rich, 2021). Furthermore, when the
nurse is with the patient, they are supposed to acknowledge the sensitivity of patient information
and respect the patient by calling them by name. Another attribute is the capacity to create a good
relationship with the patient. According to Butts and Rich (2021), this is an essential requirement
for the provision of good and professional care with significant impact on patient outcomes.
Case Examples
This section provides case examples of the caring concept as applied in professional
settings.
Model case with Rationale
It highlights all the features of the caring concept.
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A 59-year-old Cuban female with limited proficiency in spoken English was brought into
the facility by her neighbor who bumped into her in their flat because she appeared ill. The
patient was not cooperative during the examination process and indicated that she thought she
was “in trouble”. Nevertheless, the NP used a composed attitude to assure the patient of her
safety and to calm her down. Upon examination, the patient was diagnosed with a hypertensive
crisis and effectively informed that she needed to be transferred to the emergency room for
additional assessment and treatment. However, the patient did not want to be placed in the ER
ambulance claiming her husband would return to an empty house with no food. The NP sought
the neighbor's help who had brought the patient to the hospital and promised to visit the patient's
house and ensure her husband got his meals. The NP also consulted a physician who agreed to
take up the case effectively making the patient feel more comfortable.
Borderline Case with Rationale
This case contains most of the defining attributes of the caring concept.
Consider a patient who presented to the clinic with pain following a surgical procedure.
The patient expressed disappointment with the revelation that she was expected to provide
transportation because this arrangement presented time and resource challenges. This case
highlights the nurses’ willingness to assist and be understanding of barriers faced by the patient
that were unrealized.
Contrary case with Rationale
In this case, there is a lack of all the features of the concept.
A 62-year-old patient with respiratory disease is not offered an air conditioner despite
producing a medical needs letter to the nurse in charge. The patient recieved alternatives,
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including leaving the door open to ensure that the cool air from the air conditioner in the
hallways could circulate in or use the recreational lounge, which was not open for 24 hours.
Antecedents and Consequences
The antecedents of the caring principle are categorized into human, personal, and
organizational. Highlighting model cases of caring requires evidence of antecedent. Among the
caring antecedents include the events or incidents that have to occur before caring takes place.
However, a person who wants to care for others should not try but be attracted to the
profession of caring because of their compassionate nature their desire to assist others, and
determination to provide the caring services. The antecedents of caring led to consequences such
as satisfaction, healing, and growth. In this sense, caring may have effects for both patients and
nurses.
Summary
The concept of caring is generally central to the nursing profession. Furthermore, caring
means different things to different people. Besides, the caring concept in nursing takes a special
meaning and purpose based on an individual's profession, making the caring concept complex.
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References List
Akansel, N., Watson, R., Vatansever, N., & Özdemir, A. (2020). Nurses' perceptions of caring
activities in nursing. Nursing Open, 8(1), 506–516. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.653
Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2021). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice.
Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Cook, L. B., & Peden, A. (2017). Finding a focus for nursing: The caring concept. Advances in
nursing science, 40(1), 12-23.
Karlsson, M., & Pennbrant, S. (2020). Ideas of caring in nursing practice. Nursing philosophy:
an international journal for healthcare professionals, 21(4), e12325.
https://doi.org/10.1111/nup.12325
Kongsuwan, W., Aphichato, A., & Maneewat, K. (2018). Caring as Nursing: Aesthetic
Expressions of Nursing Students. Songklanagarind Journal of Nursing, 38(2), 1-10.
Pajnkihar, M., Štiglic, G., & Vrbnjak, D. (2017). The concept of Watson's curative factors in
nursing and their (dis)harmony with patient satisfaction. PeerJ, 5, e2940.
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2940
Riegel, F., Crossetti, M. da G. O., Martini, J. G., & Nes, A. A. G.. (2021). Florence Nightingale’s
theory and her contributions to holistic critical thinking in nursing. Revista Brasileira De
Enfermagem, 74(2), e20200139. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0139
Souza, J. F., Zaccaro, K. R., Brandão, A. P., Primo, C. C., Santana, R. F., & Brandão, M. A.
(2023). Systematization of nursing care: How did the concept mature? Revista Brasileira
de Enfermagem, 76(3). https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0464