Page 155 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

F r OM ca ra t Iv e Fa c t Or 7 t O C A R I T A S P RO C E S S 7
and around conventional issues, such as diabetes education, birthing
classes, medication administration, and so on. The Caritas transper-
sonal teaching process is more personalized, relational, and meaning-
ful, consistent with the individual’s specific condition, needs, readi-
ness, and so on.
However, an even more extensive approach that represents the next
evolution involves still another level of depth with respect to Caritas
Nursing. This is the shift toward Health-Wellness-Healing Coaching—
what I call Caritas Coaching, which embraces transpersonal and unity
views of teaching but goes into greater depth in working within the
other’s frame of reference.
This coaching requires a more advanced approach to teaching-
learning; it requires more specific skills with respect to caring relation-
ships as well as ways to actually assist another in finding his or her best
solutions, options, and strategies to address and solve self-identified
issues and needs. The plan for coaching is based on the other’s inner
goals and self-defined, self-motivated pursuits. It involves affirming,
encouraging, following up, and celebrating with another’s successes.
It invites personal growth and maturing, helping the other discover
his or her support systems, the environment that reinforces the indi-
vidual’s goals; Caritas Coaching helps another face his or her shadow
side of negative habits and ways of thinking and find inner strengths
and gifts. Through this expanded model, the nurse becomes more of
a sojourner along with the other, helping the other find new energy,
time, and ways to excel by working from the inside out, connecting
with his or her inner spirit and authentic longings for self.
In other words, in Caritas Coaching the person becomes his or her
own best problem solver; the individual is his or her own best source
for finding unique creative solutions for meeting goals and a vision for
change. Thus, Caritas Coaching is a very different model than conven-
tional teaching-learning approaches whereby the one with authority
and knowledge imparts information and content to another—often
with no comprehension of the context, meaning, and relationship
with respect to the other’s inner strivings, hopes, deep longings, and
needs. The Caritas Coach continues to be a resource to the person even
after the person has met his or her goals or had a setback.

127