Introduction
Over the years, there have been changes in nursing brought about by various nursing theories. Nursing theory has led to rise in knowledge and value of taking care of patients at the bedside. Through theory, nurses are equipped with adequate expertise which ensures that patients are cared for professionally. So, it is theory that has seen nursing go another level especially in quality and career of nursing. Nurses are able to associate liaison between concepts, and analysis given by theorists as well as assess their links and how they amend them. Among many conceptions, kindness, love and surroundings are some of the chief nursing theories. In relation to theory, this paper gives a brief comparison between theorists Jean Watson and Florence Nightingale.
Interconnectedness
Interconnectedness is a concept, in the theory of nursing, which focuses on the strong bond between human beings and their surroundings. For numerous years, there have been tremendous changes in nursing brought about by various nursing theories. Nursing theory contributed towards a rise in knowledge and value of taking care of patients at the bedside. Indeed, nursing theories have equipped nurses with adequate expertise which ensures that patients are cared for professionally. Among the numerous conceptions, kindness, love and surroundings are some of the chief nursing theories.
In spite of their differences in the way of life and religion, the study by American Holistic Nurses Association (2009) reveals that human beings have shown concern for each other when need arise. As noted by Loves (2008) reckons that a close study of both Jean and Florence theories demonstrate or rather indicates the element of concern towards others. In this case, the nurse is influenced to be concerned about patients. Therefore, this notion of correlation provides a crucial thesis and forms the basis of competitive tending.
Jean Watson
Jean Watson brought to light her theory at the University of Colorado where she worked as a lecturer in 1979. As asserted by University of Colorado (2007), Jean Watson n the theory makes it very clear that a nurse has to develop admirable relationship with the patient. She believes that human being’s wellbeing should be a result of the combination of agreement and synchronization of brainpower, strength of mind and the body. In her work, Jean indicates that transpersonal caring instant happens when the souls or spirits of the nurse and the patient join through caring. For this reason, Watson sees a strong connection between the nurse, patient and their surroundings.
Florence Nightingale
Nightingale happens to be among the first theorists to publish theories and concepts about nursing. In her book ’What it is and what it is not’ of 1859, she gives evidenced descriptions on nursing from past occurrences. Unlike jean, Florence believes that health is unified with ecological, bodily and mental aspects. Further, she attributes human beings to owning spiritual and physical powers which become part of them. In addition to this, Florence believes that diseases and fitness are factors that makes a man complete. For this reason, Nightingale stresses the importance of maintaining hygiene in the surroundings. She believes cleanliness aids fitness and brings humans close to their maker. Many of her perceptions lay a strong foundation on holistic nursing.
Holistic Nursing
Holistic nursing incorporates the perspective of interconnectedness with God, others, nature and oneself. Walker and Avant (2005) define holistic nursing as the force that heals a person from birth to death. In this case, holistic nurse is launch pad in the course of curing. For a nurse to be holistic, they need to develop personal accountability. Holistic nursing depends on elements such as therapeutic massage, biofeedback and correlation among people to bring positive and desirable results. The profession enlightens nurses to embrace the clear relationship found in mind, spirit and body and to develop the sense of caring for others. Research proves that holistic nursing is the mode of treating patients of all kind. Any nurse is required to have obligatory skills and concern for others in order to engage in holistic nursing.
Conclusion
This paper has provided a brief comparison between theorists Jean Watson and Florence Nightingale. Jean Watson and Florence Nightingale’s theories contribute to the same perspective of correlation. Both theorists give descriptions about the link between devout and physical needs in human beings. Their theories suggest that both good health and poor health are part of life among humans. They indicate that humans have shown the sense of caring for one another regardless of their differences, when need be. Jean and Florence indicate that a competent nurse is one who shows care and concern for the patient without taking sides. Through their notions, correlation has led to development in nursing through providing relevant aspects such as holistic nursing. On the contrary, Watson’s theory is broad and can be used diversely by others in medicine profession as compared to Florence’s theory.
References
American Holistic Nurses Association. (2009). What is holistic nursing? Retrieved From http:// www.ahna.org
Love, K. (2008). Interconnectedness in nursing: a concept analysis, Journal of Holistic Nursing, 26(4), 255-265, retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text Database
University of Colorado (2007). Dr. Jean Watson’s theory of human caring. Retrieved November 9, 2009 from http://www.nursing.ucdenver.edu
Walker, L.O. & Avant, K.C. (2005). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (4th Ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.