While thinking about holistic nursing and the theories there are many ways they overlap in my personal life and my professional life. Many lessons I have learned as a nurse carry over into everyday life vice versa. I have learned many things over the years and some of the theories of holistic nursing fit perfectly into life outside of nursing as well as life as a nurse.
Watson’s Theory
The theory that seems to be a constant in my life is that of Jean Watson (Dossey, 2016). Her theory of transpersonal caring and caring science is a huge part of my life. Caring for others is important in my practice as a nurse, but I have also applied that over time in my personal life. Being kind and making connections with people is a great way to continue to grow and create relationships. Caring about another person is a base for a relationship. When thinking about Watson’s theory it applies in every aspect of my life as a nurse and a person.
While caring for patients in the professional setting it is important to establish a trusting relationship and to make sure you advocate for the patient and what is best for them (Dossey, 2016). Having trusting relationships with people outside of work is also very important. I first think of my children when I think of this theory. My children trust me to care for them and to do whatever I can to make sure their needs are met. When establishing these relationships with my boys they have learned over time that I will always do what I can to make sure they are happy and healthy. Creating a trusting and caring relationship with my children and family also teaches them to be caring and trustworthy as they grow. I believe this theory helps establish a solid base for patients to trust the nurses caring for them and for them to be sure that the nurse has their best interest at heart.
Erickson’s Theory
Helen Erickson’s theory of modeling and role-modeling also plays a role in my nursing life and my personal life (Dossey, 2016). I have been a nurse for 11 years and have had many different roles as a nurse. Applying Erickson’s theory in my professional life and my personal life have helped me be a role model for my patients and for my family, including my young children. Teaching my kids what is right and wrong helps them make better decisions about their behavior, and their choices of snacks that affect their overall health.
Giving my kids a sense of power with letting them pick a side dish for dinner helps with getting them to eat proper foods, and even though they are both good choices, they think they have power by letting them choose. When patients have power to make decisions about their healthcare it helps them to feel in control of the care they are receiving (Dossey, 2016). Having a common goal in mind is helpful when dealing with everyone in life. If I want my kids to get their shoes on I let them know that we are leaving, and we have a common goal to go to grandmas for example, so in order to do that we have to have our shoes on and then they comply with no hassle. When dealing with patients in a care setting the same is true. Most of them have a goal of going home and being able to care for themselves, and that is a common goal for us, so teaching them, or modeling good behavior is a way to help the positive outcomes (Dossey, 2016).
Core Values
There are five core values within holistic nursing and many different theories affect those values within nursing practice. The five values are as follows: Holistic Philosophy, Theories, and Ethics Holistic Caring Process Holistic Communication, Therapeutic Healing Environment, and Cultural Diversity Holistic Education and Research Holistic Nurse Self-Reflection and Self-Care.
Theories and Core Values
When looking at the theories I chose that most affect my life, Watson’s and Erickson’s theories, they assist in all practice of all of the core values. When thinking about Erickson’s theory it discusses have a modeling behavior, or role-model approach (Dossey, 2016) and this helps patients decide what will help them and makes sure they know how to handle what is needed for future health (American Holistic Nurses’ Association [AHNA] & American Nurses’ Association [ANA], 2013). Making sure patients are aware of the goals and helping them gain the knowledge required to care for themselves is very important covering core values 3 and 4 (AHNA & ANA, 2013). By being a role-model and showing how to properly care for oneself, this helps along the lines of core value 5, self-reflection, and self-care (AHNA & ANA, 2013).
Helping patients understand the care they are receiving and making sure they have a say in what is happening to them and for them are very important aspects of care. Communicating with patients and letting them know they have choices and the knowledge to make those choices is a significant part of being a nurse (AHNA & ANA, 2013). Patients learn to trust their care providers and having built a relationship with the patient helps that relationship grow and prosper.
Conclusion
There are many aspects to holistic nursing and many theories that involve the practice. Most of these theories are applicable to everyday life as well as the nursing life. When dealing with people in general, whether it be patients, or family members, everyone looks for trust in the relationships formed and making sure that trust is there is imperative to everyone involved. Both Watson’s theory and Erickson’s theory discuss building trust and caring relationships between people (Dossey, 2016). Building trust and being ethical in relationships is important as a nurse and overall as a person.
