Explore the concepts and caritas processes from the Theory of Human Caring and present how these concepts may impact their future APN role. 

The Theory of Human Caring, developed by Jean Watson, is an evidence-based practice that focuses on promoting holistic care and recognizing the patient’s experience. This theory stresses the importance of establishing therapeutic relationships between nurses and patients in order to deliver quality care. Carative factors (caring acts) and transpersonal processes of caring are the core concepts in this theory. Ten carative elements are used to provide compassionate care, including maintaining trust, respecting the personhood of patients, providing comfort and healing relationships. In contrast, transpersonal care processes are the process of connecting to the patient’s higher purpose in life or their spirituality during the nurse-patient interaction.

These concepts will help future Advanced Practice Nurses to provide holistic care by emphasizing building relationships with patients through actions of caring, such as empathy and respecting individual beliefs. These APNs should foster collaboration with other healthcare team members while being mindful of their own values—such as understanding suffering—and creating a safe healing space with warm touch presence. When creating care plans, they should also recognize the cultural diversity of their patients and strive to achieve self-actualization through sharing spiritual experiences in their professional role.