Care connects cultures
(July 11, 2008) Jean Watson, PhD, distinguished professor of nursing at the University of Colorado Denver, is sharing her philosophy of caring science with health professionals 
around the globe. Most recently, Watson was invited to deliver the keynote address at the Third Shanghai International Nursing Conference, “Linking Theory, Research and Practice,” held May 23-26. While there, she also was able to show her unique method of nursing care to some of deserving youngsters.
While in China, Watson visited the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center—which happened to be treating survivors of the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province. The earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, left more than 69,000 dead and 4.8 million homeless.
Seven children were evacuated to the center and relocated with their families. Watson spent time with the small patients. “I went around to each one of the beds and talked with each one of the children,” she says. “They were beautiful children, just radiant with life. It was a very special experience.”
Following her visit to Shanghai, Watson attended a national conference in Baronquilla, Columbia. Scholars at the University del Norte are incorporating Watson’s curriculum and clinical practice methods. Watson organized three days of interactive workshops and keynotes, providing feedback to local health care professionals.
With more than 30 years of experience in nursing, Watson holds the Murchinson-Scoville Endowed Chair in Caring Science at UC Denver—the nation’s first endowed chair in caring science. Watson established the field with her 1979 publication, Nursing, the Philosophy and Science of Caring. The book has become one of the most widely used and respected sources for nursing.
Recently, Watson released a completely revised edition of Nursing that offers a contemporary update and current perspectives on the field. “I’m now using the concept of caritas nursing, which is Latin for connecting caring and love into our life and our work and our world for healing and deeper levels of health,” Watson explains.
To order Nursing, call 1-800-627-7377, or visit University Press Colorado.
Photo: Jean Watson comforts a victim of the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province.