The whole occupation of nursing encompasses far more than the technical terms of the profession. The profession requires nurses to place a strong emphasis on the interpersonal patient relations that are encountered on a daily basis. These caring relations are integral to the overall healing and smooth recovery of the individuals undergoing procedures and operations. Essentially, nurses must recognize the interconnectivity between the mind and soul that transcend the patient persona. They must recognize the beneficial outcomes that arise out of establishing positive patient interactions. In 2005, Jean Watson put this theory to the test, as she proved the benefits of caring and solidified this theory amongst the nursing realm. This theory is summed up in the Theory of Caring proposed by Jean Watson and has been extended to the operating table. While most would agree that interpersonal relations benefit patients on a nonsurgical level, few understand the benefits it poses amongst surgical patients as well. Using my own personal experience, in corroboration with the theories proposed by scholars, I will argue that surgeries necessitate caring relations between nurse and patient. Ultimately, the establishment of an intimate bond with a patient reaps beneficial outcomes in terms of healing potential.
The development of the Watson Theory of Caring revolutionized how nurses approached their work. Based on an apparently obvious premise that emphasizes the ability to show patients that care extends beyond the perimeter of the job duties into something more personal, this theory placed an emphasis on specific qualities that obtain this goal. The qualities exhibited by nurses should foster “caring [that] is the moral ideal, and entails mind-body-soul engagement with one another” (203). Nurses and caregivers alike should devote the time spent with the patient towards healing and alleviating the fears and issues that reside within the psyche of the patient as well. This should be done by establishing a non-mechanical and compassionate relationship with the patient. Patients should feel as if their thoughts and worries are being tended to, along with the ailments that initially brought them into the medical center. Fundamentally, Watson created a caring ethic that should accompany nurses as they perform the tasks that are allotted to them.
The article entitled “Effect of Sacred Space Environment on Surgical Patient Outcomes: A Pilot Study” used Watson’s theory as a framework for which perioperative environments should abide by. The article chronicles the benefits that caring relations pose on surgical patient outcomes. It posits how the Caring Theory can extend to the operating table as well. The surgical environment is often perceived as “as being technically centered with little emphasis on caring” (50); however caring is a big component of the nursing tasks within the perioperative environment. The article notes that nurses must create a healing environment by “[treating] each person with respect and dignity, meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients” (50). The pilot study that incorporated such a healing environment resulted in positive reactions from the patients and it scored much higher than the tradition perioperative environment. All in all, the pilot study points to the notion that positive caring relation between nurse and patient extend towards the perioperative environment as well.
My own personal experiences within the operating room fall in line with above statements. For instance, when I have interacted with the surgical patients on a personal level, they have displayed a more calm and fearless attitude.
In conclusion, when the results are satisfactory and the patients are happy, and they have good memories about the experience they obtained during their stay in the hospital, the nursing care is proven to be working
