Compare and contrast the nursing theorist models of Parse and Watson Essay

Compare and contrast the nursing theorist models of Parse and Watson - Essay Example Patients now want to be consulted first, they have more access to various medical information, and want to be respected, recognized, and referred to when it pertains to their well-being. All new developments have also made nursing a highly-specialized profession, and nurses must continually update their knowledge they gained in the academe and from work experiences with continuing education. A few examples of nursing specializations are in pediatrics, geriatrics, acute care, natal care, cardiology, surgery, palliative care, toxicology, and mass casualties, to name just a few. In this regard, the nursing profession must not lose sight of its primary or core mission, despite the modernity in health care delivery. Its main aim is to render human care in whatever setting, be it in administrative, clinical, institutional, assisted-living facilities, senior retirement homes, or in a medical research facility. It is quite easy to get lost in all the complexity and forget human values necess ary in a patient-nurse relationship. In an attempt to preserve the noble heritage of nursing, several prominent nurses and educators have developed their own theories with regards to nurses' responsibilities despite all the heavy workload, from a shortage of nurses to increased number of patients nowadays. This paper examines the theories of Jean Watson and Rosemarie Parse. Discussion Although there are many nursing theories propounded by eminent practitioners, there are a few of these theories which had gained widespread acceptance and greater credibility due to their salient points when it comes to giving patient care. Over the years, nursing schools and hospital administrators have promoted these viable nursing theories as models for the nursing profession intended to be followed and applied in all health care settings. The idea is that nursing has core values which are applicable anywhere, and these must be applied consistently so that a patient recovers faster, while the nurse retains his or her humanity as an archetypal ideal nurse. Jean Watson – she developed her own theory of nursing based from her extensive work experiences in both academic and clinical settings. She has an undergraduate degree in nursing, a master's degree in psychiatric (mental health) nursing, and also a doctorate degree in educational psychology, together with three other honorary doctorate degrees granted by three countries, of Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. A basic principle of her nursing theory is the return to the basics, in effect, what Florence Nightingale of England had tried to achieve when she first founded today's modern nursing practice during wartime conditions to care for the wounded. The key elements of Watson's theory are composed of three paradigms in nursing care, which are the carative (from the Greek word of care) factors composed of ten basic elements, the trans-personal relationship, and the caring moment. All the three paradigms are intended to make a nurse aware that a patient is a person with feelings and emotions which can adversely affect his health if not handled properly. Moreover, a nurse must give due care to a fellow human being in a holistic approach, as contrasted to the medicines used to cure a patient (Watson, 2008). Rosemarie Parse –