A concept of caring based on communication between care giver and patient is developed in this research for application in nursing practice. Following this introduction, the concept of caring in nursing is explored and developed. A plan for the application of the concept in nursing practice then is presented.
The concept of caring is integral to all theories of nursing (Roach, 1991, pp. 9-12). Caring is defined differently in the various theories, however, as is the degree to which the concept is emphasized in the application of the several theories in the practice of nursing. Development of the approach to caring in contemporary nursing practice began with the First National Caring Research Conference in 1978 (Gaut, 1991, pp. 1-5). The contemporary approach to the application of the concept of caring in the practice of nursing is humanistic in character (Wolf, Giardino, Osborne, & Ambrose, 1994, pp. 107-111). Two of the foremost developers of a humanistic approach to nursing are Madeleine Leininger (1993a, pp. 3-18) and Jean Watson (1990, pp. 277-288), each of whom identifies nursing as a humanistic science with the concept of caring as the central unifying theme in practice. Watson's (pp. 277-288) nursing model places caring primarily in an interpersonal context, while Leininger's (1993b, pp. 105-121) model of nursing emphasizes caring in a cultural context. Goal attainment, a holistic perspective, patient autonomy, interaction between nurse and patient, and adaptation are common to each of the theories of nursing of both Leininger and Watson (Flynn & Heffron, 1988, pp. 92-95).
Leininger (1988a, p. 24) maintains that caring is the essence of humanity, that care is essential for human growth and survival, and that care must be the central focus of nursing and the helping and healing professions. Thus, caring is embedded in the personal and cultural meanings and commitments of the nurse to the patient. The practice of...