Applying the ethics of care to your nursing practice.

Caring and nursing are so intertwined that nursing always appeared on the same page in a Google search for the definition of caring. Caring is “a feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others; showing or having compassion” (The Free Dictionary, 2002, para. 2). As these definitions show, caring is a feeling that also requires an action. Dr. Jean Watson’s caring theory is well known in nursing. The three major elements of her theory are the carative factors, the transpersonal caring relationship, and the caring occasion/caring moment (Watson, 2001). Her carative factors endeavor to “honor the human dimensions of nursing’s work and the inner life world and subjective experiences of the people we serve” (Watson, 1997, p. 50). Two examples of these carative factors, which were later changed to caritas factors in 2001, in clinical practice are “developing and sustaining a helping-trusting, authentic caring relationship” and “being present to, and supportive of, the expression of positive and negative feelings as a connection with deeper spirit of self and the one-beingcared-for” (Watson, 2001, p. 347). To build this trusting, caring relationship with the patient, the nurse must be self-aware of any judgmental feelings or feelings that could foster his or her crossing boundaries into intimacy. Caring requires the nurse to have a deep connection to the spirit within the self and to the spirit within the patient. Watson’s caring model requires the nurse to look at the uniqueness of the individual and go to all extents possible to preserve the patient’s dignity. The second element, the transpersonal caring relationship, describes the nurse’s caring consciousness and moral commitment to make an intentional connection with the patient. The third element, caring occasion/caring moment, is the space and time where the patient and nurse come together in a manner for caring to occur.