Caring as therapeutic in nursing education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Caring Science
• Healthcare Practice

Background:

• Effective nursing care relies on a strong teaching-learning process centered on caring.
• Transforming nursing education is crucial for developing nurses equipped for contemporary healthcare demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement caring as a nursing therapeutic intervention for associate degree nursing students.
• To foster a caring-consciousness by creating a supportive environment for students to share experiences and self-perceptions.
• To encourage the valuing and practice of caring through deliberate, informed actions for patient benefit.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Watson's carative factors and Carper's ways of knowing as a theoretical framework.
• Developed and implemented specific caring strategies within a community college nursing program.
• Focused on creating a 'caring space' for student dialogue and experiential learning.

Main Results:

• Students experienced themselves as both caring and cared for within the educational environment.
• A foundation was laid for students to value and intentionally practice caring actions.
• The project aimed to enhance the development of caring-consciousness among nursing students.

Conclusions:

• Integrating caring principles into nursing education is essential for cultivating compassionate and effective healthcare professionals.
• Experiential learning and supportive environments are key to developing caring-consciousness in nursing students.
• The study provides a model for nursing programs seeking to embed caring into their curriculum and practice.