Caring as being in nursing: unique or ubiquitous

Area of Science:

• Nursing Philosophy
• Ethics in Healthcare
• Humanistic Psychology

Background:

• The concept of 'caring as being' in nursing presents conceptual ambiguities.
• Existing discourse often assumes caring is exclusive to nursing, lacking broader context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore ambiguities surrounding 'caring as being' within the nursing context.
• To determine if caring is unique to nursing or a ubiquitous human capacity.
• To examine potential pathways for understanding caring as a fundamental aspect of human existence.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical exploration of 'caring as being'.
• Analysis of four distinct conceptual pathways: artistic endeavors, self-transcendence in relationships and spirituality, creating caring environments, and soulful consciousness.
• Literature review and conceptual analysis.

Main Results:

• Caring as being is identified as an essential knowledge source within nursing.
• Evidence suggests caring is not exclusive to nursing but is a ubiquitous human capacity.
• Four pathways illuminate the multifaceted nature of caring as a fundamental human experience.

Conclusions:

• Caring as being is integral to nursing practice and knowledge.
• Nursing's understanding of caring can be enriched by recognizing its presence across disciplines and in all individuals.
• Further exploration is needed to fully integrate this broader understanding of caring into nursing theory and practice.