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366 UNIT IV Nursing Theories

intentional caring expressed in living caring uniquely whose roles range from the boardroom to the bed-
and courageously: side is grounded in a respect for and valuing of each
person.
We are intentionally refocusing our culture from a The theory of Nursing as Caring is gaining accep-
traditional bureaucratic one to a person-centered, tance among large nursing organizations. In 2012,
caring-based values organization. In 2007, our Duke University Health System adopted Nursing as
Nursing Councils at St. Lucie Medical Center Caring as their practice framework for the nursing
selected the Theory of Nursing as Caring as the service department. Boykin and Schoenhofer are
theoretical model to guide our nursing practice. serving as consultants with the Duke University
As a Nursing Administrator, I pondered how I Health System on planning, implementation, evalua-
could intentionally ground our hospital environ- tion, and research related to this endeavor. Boykin is
ment, and the practice of the nurses within its also working with the Professional Practice Council
walls, in a perspective of caring. I made a deliber- of the Veteran’s Administration in North Carolina as
ate commitment to deepen our knowledge and they work to articulate caring in their practice model.
awareness by allocating time for all of us to par-
ticipate in dialogues focused on knowing ourselves Education
as caring persons. From the perspective of Nursing as Caring, the model
I am able to live caring uniquely as the CNO
by ministering to the nurses providing direct for organizational design of nursing education is
analogous to the Dance of Caring Persons. Faculty,
patient care. As we transform our nursing prac- students, and administrators dance together in the
tice, we live and grow in caring together. What study of nursing. Each dancer is recognized, prized,
I do best is utilize the art of storytelling to trans- and celebrated for the gifts he or she brings. The role
late the calls for nursing into the language of the of each person influences how the commitment to
boardroom. Through the use of strategic nursing nursing education is lived out.
situations, I connect the administrators directly Nursing as Caring assumptions ground the prac-
to the one nursed. While these indirect caregivers tice of nursing education and nursing education
yearn for connectedness to the patient, it takes administration (Boykin & Schoenhofer, 2001a, 2001b).
the ingredient of courage on my part to convince As expressions of the discipline, the structure and
the administrators why it is critical to transform practices of the education program, including the cur-
an entire healthcare system by intentionally riculum, reflect the values and assumptions inherent
grounding it in a perspective of caring. I have in the statement of focus and the domain of the disci-
been willing to conceptualize and chart the pline, that is, nurturing persons living caring and
course as well as partner with key leaders in cre- growing in caring. Through the lens of Nursing as
ating an environment to embody the true values Caring, fundamental assumptions of the theory that
of caring.
honor and celebrate the uniqueness of persons as car-
In practicing through the lens of Nursing as Car- ing should be reflected. Caring, as one of the signifi-
ing, the nursing administrator assists in creating a cant components of nursing knowledge, should be
community that appreciates, supports, and nurtures studied and infused throughout the curriculum
persons as they live and grow in caring. Allocation (Schoenhofer, 2001). Through story, that is, the study
of time for dialogue allows shared meanings to of nursing situations, disciplinary and professional
emerge, and demonstrates the commitment of the knowledge is accessed and nursing responses
nursing administrator to enhance the growth of the grounded in caring are conceptualized. All activities
nurse within the discipline of nursing (Boykin & of the program of study should therefore be directed
Schoenhofer, 2001b). The nursing administrator toward developing, organizing, and communicating
interfaces with persons of many other disciplines, as nursing knowledge, the knowledge of nurturing per-
well as with the one nursed, and expresses honesty sons living caring and growing in caring. Using the
and authenticity in encouraging others to live out theory of nursing as caring, Eggenberger, Keller, and
who they are: The nature of relating with persons Locsin (2010) studied how students come to know