Boykin and Schoenhofer on the Theory of Nursing As Caring

Summary

This video discusses the 'Nursing as Caring' theory, developed by Dr. Ann Boykin and Dr. Savina Schoenhofer. The theory emphasizes a holistic, person-centered approach to nursing, focusing on understanding patients as caring individuals by virtue of their humanity. It moves away from a traditional systems-based model, promoting a more personal, empathetic form of care where nurses respond to the unique needs and desires of each patient. The theory highlights the importance of nurturing relationships and the concept of nursing situations, where meaningful, shared experiences enhance the practice of nursing.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The nursing profession is evolving from a systems approach to a more holistic, caring-focused methodology.
• 💡 The Nursing as Caring theory, developed by Dr. Ann Boykin and Dr. Savina Shoenhofer, emphasizes the importance of caring as the central focus of nursing practice.
• 🩺 Traditional nursing education often focused heavily on medical science, with limited emphasis on the person-centered aspect of nursing care.
• 💖 The theory asserts that all individuals are inherently caring by virtue of their humanness, and this forms the basis for nursing relationships.
• 🤝 Nursing situations are seen as shared lived experiences where caring between nurse and patient enhances personhood.
• 🧠 Persons live caring moment to moment, and nurses must recognize and respond to these expressions of caring in unique and individualized ways.
• ✨ The assumption that persons are whole and complete in the moment challenges traditional views of nursing as ‘fixing’ or addressing deficits.
• 🌟 Nurses are called to know the person as a caring individual and respond to their specific needs in a way that supports their growth in caring.
• 🎭 The 'Dance of Caring Persons' concept emphasizes that everyone involved in healthcare contributes to the caring environment, from nurses to support staff.
• 📖 Aesthetic knowing, such as storytelling and sharing experiences, plays a critical role in understanding and practicing the Nursing as Caring theory.

Q & A

What is the primary shift in nursing education discussed in the transcript?

The primary shift discussed is from a traditional systems approach to nursing education to more holistic approaches, such as the nursing as caring theory, which focuses on the person as a whole rather than just medical procedures.

Who are the founders of the Nursing as Caring theory, as mentioned in the transcript?

The founders of the Nursing as Caring theory are Dr. Ann Boykin and Dr. Savina Shoenhofer.

What personal experience led Dr. Ann Boykin to rethink the traditional systems approach to nursing?

Dr. Ann Boykin, after years of teaching nursing from a systems perspective, felt something was missing—she believed that nursing wasn’t fully focused on the person but more on medical science. This realization, coupled with her exposure to a conference on caring, led her to rethink nursing education.

What is the significance of the 'nursing situation' in the Nursing as Caring theory?

In the Nursing as Caring theory, the 'nursing situation' is a shared, lived experience between the nurse and the nursed. It is in this interaction that nursing is created, known, and practiced. It allows nurses to understand and respond to what matters to the person being cared for.

What does the Nursing as Caring theory assume about people?

The theory assumes that people are caring by virtue of their humanness. This inherent capacity for caring is present in every person, and it is the nurse’s role to nurture and support that caring nature.

How does the Nursing as Caring theory suggest nurses should approach situations where they struggle to see a patient as a 'caring person'?

If a nurse struggles to see a patient as a 'caring person' due to their actions (e.g., a rapist), the nurse must acknowledge that they may not be able to provide true nursing care in that moment. The nurse can perform tasks, but without seeing the person as a whole, they cannot fully engage in nursing.

How does the Nursing as Caring theory define personhood?

Personhood is defined as a way of living grounded in caring. It is enhanced through participation in nurturing relationships with caring others, such as in the relationship between the nurse and the patient.

What role does 'aesthetic knowing' play in the theory of Nursing as Caring?

Aesthetic knowing is particularly relevant in the Nursing as Caring theory. It involves understanding nursing situations through artistic or creative expression, helping nurses to deeply understand and reflect on their lived experiences in nursing.

What are 'calls for nursing' according to the Nursing as Caring theory?

Calls for nursing are ways in which patients express their needs for care. These calls help nurses understand what matters most to the patient at that moment and inform the nurse’s nurturing response.

What is the 'dance of caring persons' concept in the Nursing as Caring theory?

The 'dance of caring persons' refers to the collaborative environment where all participants (nurses, patients, doctors, and others) contribute their unique caring to enhance the well-being and personhood of everyone involved.