Page 48 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

NURSING: THE PHIL O S OPHY A ND SCIENCE OF C A R IN G , revI s e d ed I t I o n
the past decade or so and need to continue to unfold with more spec-
ificity—something related to the ICC project—ultimately leading to
better documentation and assessment of Caring/Caritas.
I invite readers to identify the ontological-literacy processes they
bring to their caring-healing practice and to continue to contribute
to more specificity so these practices can be taught, documented,
researched, and practiced.

wATSON’S Caritas LITERACY DImENSIONS: A wORk IN PROGRESS
• Cultivate Caring consciousness and intentionality as a starting
point
• Ability to “Center”—quiet down, pause before entering patient’s
room or be still in the presence of the other
• Ability to “read the field” when entering into the life space or
field of another

• Ability to Be present—Be with other as well as Do for other
• Accurately identify and address person by name
• Maintain eye contact as appropriate for person/cultural meaning
and sensitivity

• Ability to ground self and other for comforting, soothing, calm-
ing acts
• Accurately detect other’s feelings
• Stay within the other’s frame of reference

• Invite and authentically listen to the inner meaning, the subjec-
tive story of other
• Authentically listen/hear behind the words
• Hold other with an attitude of unconditional loving-kindness,
equanimity, dignity, and regard
• Ability to be with “silence,” waiting for other to reflect before
responding to questions, allowing other’s inner thoughts to
emerge
• Respond to the other’s feelings and mood verbally and nonver-
bally, with authentic affective congruence

25