Florence Nightingale is by far the most famous nursing theorist, but many other prolific nurses continue to build on her work to establish modern nursing with strong nursing theoretical frameworks to further support the nursing profession.
Jean Watson: Theory of Human Caring
Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring focuses on the humanistic aspects of nursing in combination with scientific knowledge.4 The theory emphasizes the relationship between the nurse and the patient, aiming for holistic care that nurtures the mind, body and soul. Watson's 10 components of caring theory center around creating a caring-healing environment that supports human dignity and promotes well-being.
1. Caring as the essence of nursing: Caring is central to nursing, not just an action but a moral ideal.
2. Transpersonal caring relationship: Nurse-patient relationships go beyond the physical level and include deeper emotional and spiritual connections
3. Caring moment: Caring occurs in the moment when the nurse and patient come together in a way that allows both to experience human connection.
4. Holistic approach: Watson advocates for caring for the whole person — mind, body and spirit
5. Caring consciousness: Nurses must be conscious and mindful of their caring practices, bringing intentionality to every interaction.
6. Promotion of health: Caring is key to healing and the promotion of health beyond the treatment of disease.
7. Human dignity: Every patient is treated with respect, recognizing their intrinsic worth and uniqueness.
8. Environment for healing: Nurses are responsible for creating a supportive and healing environment.
9. Integration of science and humanities: Watson's theory blends nursing science with ethical, philosophical and spiritual understanding.
10. Personal growth for nurses: Engaging in caring processes allows nurses to grow personally and professionally.
Patricia Benner: Novice to Expert
Patricia Benner's Novice to Expert Theory describes how nurses develop skills and understanding of patient care through experience over time, progressing from beginner to expert.5 You will likely encounter Benner’s theory of the novice nurse during your time as a nursing student. It emphasizes that clinical knowledge cannot be fully taught in the classroom but develops through practical situations and reflection.5,6
1. Novice: Beginners with no experience rely on rules and guidelines to perform tasks.
2. Advanced beginner: Nurses have some experience and can recognize recurring situations but still need guidance.
3. Competent: After two to three years, nurses can plan and prioritize tasks more efficiently, managing patient care with greater consistency.
4. Proficient: Nurses can see situations holistically, anticipate patient needs and adapt their care based on experience.
5. Expert: With extensive experience, nurses exhibit an intuitive grasp of situations and make decisions effortlessly, often without needing to follow guidelines explicitly.
