Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is a prominent conceptual framework in the USU College of Nursing’s curriculum. It emphasizes the importance of providing care with compassion and understanding, and considers the nurse-patient relationship to be central to effective healthcare delivery. As part of their coursework, students are tasked with critically appraising nursing research articles that utilize Watson’s theory as a theoretical framework. This assignment serves to introduce students to Human Caring Science and develop their skills in evaluating evidence.
To begin, students are required to select one nursing research article that specifically focuses on a study incorporating Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. The chosen article will serve as the basis for the critical appraisal. In order to guide their evaluation, students are instructed to use an appropriate Rapid Critical Appraisal Checklist from Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt’s textbook (2019; pp. 708-722).
The critiques themselves should be informal in nature, although proper grammar and spelling are expected. Each critique should include a brief description of the study being reviewed, as well as an analysis of the elements of the study that are pertinent to the appraisal. This may include aspects such as the type of study, the study design, the quality of the study, the rationale behind it, and its implications for practice and further research.
The grading of the assignment will be based on the accuracy of the critique, the level of content and structure in the document, and adherence to formal paper guidelines. The length of the assignment should be 4-5 pages, including both the title and reference pages, and should follow the APA 6th edition format. Any citations, if used, should adhere to the APA 7th edition format.
Furthermore, the assignment provides examples of research articles that incorporate Jean Watson’s theory, which can be found in the USU online library. One example is the study conducted by Durgun Ozan and Okumus (2017), which examined the effects of nursing care based on Watson’s theory on anxiety, distress, and coping in cases where infertility treatment fails. Another example is the study by Rossillao (2018), which focused on the application of Watson’s theory in caritas education.
In conclusion, this assignment serves as an opportunity for students to engage with Human Caring Science and develop their critical appraisal skills. By selecting and critiquing nursing research articles that utilize Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring as a theoretical framework, students are encouraged to evaluate the relevance, quality, and implications of such studies. This exercise not only aids in the development of evidence-based practice but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the importance of caring in nursing.
