A concept analysis of Watson's nursing Caritas process

Area of Science:

• Nursing Theory
• Philosophy of Care

Background:

• Watson's nursing Caritas is an abstract concept, challenging to define and operationalize due to its philosophical underpinnings.
• It establishes a connection between care, caring factors, and human life processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive understanding of Watson's nursing Caritas as a distinct concept.
• To explore the definition and implications of Watson's nursing Caritas in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using Walker and Avant's method.
• Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, EBSCO, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ProQuest.
• Keywords used were "Caritas process" and "Watson's caring theory"; 25 articles were included from an initial 883.

Main Results:

• Watson's nursing Caritas is defined as a process rooted in caring consciousness, fostering human connections for healing, integrity, and development.
• It elevates caring to a higher ethical commitment, encompassing kindness, compassion, joyfulness, and peacefulness.
• This leads to the establishment of caring behaviors and improved performance in clinical settings.

Conclusions:

• Clinical nursing Caritas facilitates the development of strong nurse-client-family relationships.
• It enables a shared experience and perception of caring, enhancing the overall quality of care.