Page 292 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

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As a result of this shift, the philosophy and theory of human car-
ing is being implemented in a variety of diverse and creative scholarly
ways around the United States and in other parts of the world, in both
education and practice. These methods include the development of
caring curricula and caring-healing professional practice models. Some
of these activities are highlighted as exemplars that point to new possi-
bilities for systems and individuals within a Caring Science context.
Examples include projects whereby ethical, theory-guided pro-
fessional caring models seek to make explicit the caring relationship,
knowledge, values, philosophy, therapeutics, and pedagogies that
guide advanced nursing. Further, in most instances these projects are
deepening the spiritual dimension of nursing.
A select group of international nurses suggested in May 2007 that
an Order of Caritas Nurses be established in the future. Such a group
would make explicit nurses’ intentional commitment and devotion to
human caring as the highest gift to humanity, their vow to practice
within this consciousness and informed evolution by offering their
healing gifts and deep level of humanity, opening self and other (and
even systems) to the infinite field of universal Love in their work and
their world.
Perhaps such an evolution will occur as we enter a new era in
human history. In an earlier period of nursing history, everyone knew
what a “Nightingale Nurse” was—the general consciousness and prep-
aration of a Nightingale Nurse was different and distinguishable from
those of an ordinary nurse. Likewise, in the future it is possible that a
Caritas Nurse will have distinguishing characteristics, whereby the pub-
lic will want to have Caritas Nurses caring for them.

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