Human Caring Theory
- Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.
- Identify and briefly describe one of the nursing or interprofessional theories presented in the lesson that may be used in advanced nursing practice.
- Explain the relevance of the theory to your intended practice specialty.
- Describe a current healthcare issue, societal need, or practice problem in your intended practice specialty.
- Analyze how the chosen theory could be applied to address the problem.
- Integration of Evidence: Integrate relevant scholarly sources as defined by program expectations:
- Cite a scholarly source in the initial post.
- Cite a scholarly source in one faculty response post.
- Cite a scholarly source in one peer post.
- Accurately analyze, synthesize, and/or apply principles from evidence with no more than one short quote (15 words or less) for the week.
- Include a minimum of two different scholarly sources per week. Cite all references and provide references for all citations.
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Theory and Relevance to Advanced Practice
One applicable interprofessional theory is Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. This theory emphasizes the importance of human connection. It centers around caring moments, holistic support, and intentional presence in care (Watson, 2021). Watson highlights ten carative factors that guide nurse-patient relationships, focusing on emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
In my intended specialty of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Watson’s theory aligns well. FNPs treat patients across the lifespan and must develop strong, trust-based relationships. Holistic and compassionate care is essential in family practice. This theory supports that by encouraging empathy, communication, and individualized treatment plans. It also helps address health disparities by focusing on the whole person, not just disease.
Application to Current Healthcare Issue
A relevant issue in primary care is poor chronic disease management, especially among underserved populations. Many patients experience barriers such as limited access, poor health literacy, and mistrust. This contributes to uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, and poor outcomes.
Watson’s theory can help bridge this gap. By fostering trust and showing genuine care, FNPs can motivate behavioral change. Building caring relationships may increase treatment adherence and patient engagement. Applying this theory also promotes patient-centered education tailored to cultural needs and individual circumstances.
A strong nurse-patient bond enhances long-term health management. Evidence supports this: caring-based approaches improve outcomes in chronic illness care (Wei et al., 2019). Using this theory encourages providers to see beyond symptoms and focus on the patient’s life context.
In conclusion, Watson’s Theory of Human Caring supports FNPs in delivering effective, ethical, and compassionate care. It addresses not just clinical needs, but the emotional and social factors that affect healing.
