Essay Sample on Theory of Caring - Swanson

Introduction

Swanson's theory of caring is defined as dealing with a person for whom one feels a personal sense of responsibility and commitment in a nurturing way. Therefore the theory supports the assertion that caring is central to nursing practice though it not necessarily unique to it. The theory is built around five key principles which it asserts form the basis upon which nursing practice of caring is built (Chen & Chou, 2010). The five principles are maintaining belief which is ensuring the patient has faith in the process, enabling which is helping the patient through unfamiliar circumstances and transitions, doing for which means doing tasks for the patient that they could have done for themselves were they healthy, being with which means that the caregiver is emotionally present, and knowing which encompasses striving to understand an event. When the five principles are applied in nursing practice, the combination results in better overall patient outcomes and can also result in better caregiver attitudes.

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Swanson insisted on the importance of knowing in a healthcare environment where there is a caregiver and a patient. The kind of knowing that Swanson was touching on through her caring theory revolves around the care giver doing all they can to comprehend the event because it is this empathy that helps in understand the meaning of the said event in the life of the patient. There is no need to make hasty decisions or assumptions without having all the facts about the event. The care giver has a primary role of centering their focus on the needs of the one under their care. The care giver ought to involve the patients in obtaining meaningful clues that will help the former assess the latter thoroughly.

Swanson also insisted on the principle of being with whereby the care giver ought to be emotionally present to the one under their care. This principle is important because it lays its emphasis on the need to be there for the patient both physically and emotionally, especially when they feel like they want to talk to someone. The other importance of being there is because it helps the care giver to convey ability to the one being cared for. This means that they are there to urge them to soldier on and strengthen their belief that they can pull through. The care giver will ne of immense help to the patient by not burdening them while also helping them in sharing feelings.

Doing for is another one of the five principles advocated for under the Swanson's theory of caring. This principle calls for the nurse or care giver to assume that the other party was healthy and that they can do all their personal things without help. This is the level of care that they should aspire to reach where they make the patient as comfortable as possible by attending to all their needs as they would do for themselves. Some of the things that the patient should get done for them include comforting them and anticipating their needs. The patients should also be protected with the care giver preserving their dignity as well.

The other principle of caring revolves around enabling. By enabling Swanson meant that the care giver has a role to play in helping others during moments of transitions in life. A case in point would be during death or birth occasions. The facilitation for the affected to pass through such times without much strain also applies whenever unfamiliar events take place like natural disasters or accidents. The care giver ought to inform the affected individual accordingly by explaining or providing feedback especially on professional matters. The care giver also supports the others when they are going through such a period in their lives. They are also of help in generating viable alternatives that can help the affected individual.

Swanson also suggested that maintaining belief is an importance principle in her theory of caring. This entails reinforcing the faith of the other that they would overcome the current event that they are experiencing. Part of maintaining this belief includes letting the others know that there is a bright future ahead of them after the event with which they are currently grappling. It helps the one under their care to maintain the faith of better things to come while also retaining their esteem at a high note. Their attitude ought to be filled with positive hope which should rub off on the patient. It is the task of the care giver to motivate the one being cared for while filling them with realistic optimism.

Conclusion

The theory of caring as espoused by Swanson has been extensively applied in the world of nursing practice (Peterson & Bredow, 2011). Care givers avail their presence to the patients and engage them with empathy through gestures like touching. They often listen as much as possible with the ultimate goal being the improvement of patient outcomes. Spiritual caring combined with the medical practice of relieving pain also go a long way in helping the patients recuperate. The care givers alleviate suffering and provide family-like care.

References

Chen, S., & Chou, F. (2010). A comparison of the caring theories of Watson and Swanson [Chinese]. Journal of Nursing, 57(3), 86-92.

Peterson, S. J., & Bredow, T. S. (2011). Middle range theories: Application to nursing research. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.