Short Biography Of Jean Watson

Jean Watson was born on 1940s in West Virginia. She graduated her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in University of Colorado in 1964 and as well as her Masters (psychiatric-mental health nursing) and PhD (educational psychology and counseling) in 1966 and 1973 respectively.

She joined teaching profession and became a distinguished Professor in Nursing and holds an endowed Chair in Caring Science at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

She is the founder of the original Center for Human Caring in Colorado and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She served as Dean of Nursing at the University Health Sciences Center and became the President of the National League for Nursing.

Her research has been in the area of human caring and loss. Thus she founded the “Caring Theory” in nursing which was published in 1979, and revised in 1985 and 1988. Her theory served as a guide for the core of nursing.

Watson’s Caring theory allows us to return to the deep professional roots and values. It represents the original model of an ideal nurse. Caring endorses our professional identity within a context where humanistic values are constantly questioned and challenged. Upholding these caring values in our daily practice helps transcend the nurse from a state where nursing is perceived as “just a job” to that of a gratifying profession.

Upholding Watson’s caring theory not only allows the nurse to practice the art of caring; to provide compassion to ease patients’ and families’ suffering; and to promote their healing and dignity but it can also contribute to expand the nurse’s own actualization. In fact, Watson is one of the few nursing theorist who consider not only the cared-for but also the caregiver. Promoting and applying these caring values in our practice is not only essential to our own health as a nurse, but its significance is also fundamentally tributary to finding meaning in our work.

In 2008 Dr. Watson created a non-profit foundation: Watson Caring Science Institute, to further the work of Caring Science in the world.

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The Lady Of The Lamp

Born in Florence, Italy on May 12, 1820, Florence Nightingale received her name from the city of her birth. Although born in Italy, she grew up in Derbyshire, Hampshire and London. Nightingale was the offspring of parents of upper-class power and influence, William Edwards and Frances Smith Nightingale. She was the younger of their 2 children. Her upbringing included frequent travels, a classical education and social prominence. Miss Nightingale became conversant in history, multiple language, economics, astronomy, science, philosophy and mathematical skills.

In 1850, Florence attended the Institute of Protestants Deaconesses at Kaiserworth, Germany, a training school for nurses. At the time, nursing was an infamous profession as nursing care was only given by women of low mural standard. Hence, it was against the societal code for affluent young English women to be involved in such a profession. Miss Nightingale’s parents initially opposed to her career choice but finally approved and gave her their blessings after Mr. Nightingale became ill and received attentive care from his daughter. Later, her father granted an allowance, which allowed her to continue her training and work in London.

In 1984, Ms. Nightingale was called into the government service during the Crimean War. She assembled 38 women and left for Turkey to care for the injured and diseased British soldiers. For 21 months, they managed to maintain the hygienic standards in the care of the wounded and ensure that the water supply was adequate. Under the supervision of Miss Nightingale and her nurses, the military hospital was completely transformed. They successfully set up diet kitchens, recreational centers, reading rooms and a laundry for the soldiers. As a result of these efforts, the mortality rate plummeted to 2% down from 60% prior to their arrival.

Miss Nightingale without fail made her wounds long after everyone else was fast asleep to check on the condition of the wounded soldiers. Thus, the press referred her as “The Lady of the Lamp”. Miss Nightingale not only cared for the physical needs of her patients, but she also began to look out for their social welfare. She saw to it that, for the first time, the sick and wounded soldier received sick pay.

Later during the war, she went to the battle sites herself. There she contracted the Crimean Fever. It is believed that the fever had affected her life and kept Miss Nightingale confined to her quarters after the war. There is a possibility that she suffered from Post Traumatic Syndrome or Fatigue Syndrome or some other possible malady. We will probably never know for sure.

Nevertheless, she was able to continue her work in nursing education and public health from the quarters. Her admirers, many of whom had been soldiers during the Crimean war, started the Nightingale Fund. It was the money that allowed her start the Nightingale Training School for Nurses at St. Thomas Hospital in 1860. The school became the model for other training schools.

Florence Nightingale is now synonymous with the nursing profession. She is recognized universally as the one who established the principles of nursing education and practice and she was responsible for setting up the first nursing school. Florence Nightingale had also changed the status of nursing to a respectable occupation for women and she became known as the founder of modern nursing. Florence Nightingale died on 13 august 1910 at the age of 90. Her birth date is now commemorated as the “World Nurses’ Day”.

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Musical Nurses 2010

After our final exam on both theory and practical, our lecturer gave us a 2 weeks break. A break which we expect to do nothing. Instead our lecturers wanted us to come up a talent show and shall be performed in front of our seniors, guests and lecturers of the nursing department.

So our class created different committees and groups such as dancing, singing, acting and fashion show groups. We also have committees involve in stage preparation, sound system, demolition, and others.

As expected, misunderstanding among members are normal but we managed to polish it out and managed to work as a team. And it was successfully performed yesterday. Though there was few mistakes on the performance but overall it was great. Our spectators were satisfied and was having fun but not the poem for mothers which have touched some hearts and made us cry.

The theater hall was full of senior/junior nursing students, students from art department, nursing lecturers, heads of the faculty of sciences and the art department.

Below are some of the pictures taken yesterday. After our 2 weeks term break i will posting the video for this affair.

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10 Qualities Of A Great Nurse

Those who succeed in nursing and gain the most fulfillment from it possesses certain qualities that they carried out in performing variety of roles and functions of a nurse. As our lecturer would always love to ask "Do you have what it takes to be a great nurse?"

Here are some of the qualities to become a great nurse:

1. Communication Skill

A great nurse has excellent communication skills that include speaking and listening either verbal or non-verbal. They are able to follow directions without problem and can easily communicate with patients and families to understand their needs and explain treatments. A nurse who possess effective communication skills function effectively.

2. Emotional Stability

A great nurse is emotionally stable. Nursing is a stressful job and nurses encounter many traumatic situations, sufferings, and deaths. A great nurse is one who is able to work without allowing the stress to cause great personal harm.

3. Empathy

Great nurses have empathy for the pain and suffering of patients. They are able to feel compassion and provide comfort.

4. Flexible

A great nurse is flexible with regards to working hours and responsibilities. Nurses are often required to work long periods of overtime, late or overnight shifts, and weekends.

5. Pay Attention To Details

A great nurse understands that every step in the medical field is one that can have far-reaching consequences. A great nurse pays excellent attention to detail and is careful not to skip steps or make errors.

6. Interpersonal Skill

A great nurse has excellent interpersonal skills and works well in a variety of situations with different people. They work well with other nurses, doctors, and other members of a staff.

7. Physical Endurance

A great nurse has strong physical endurance and is able to tolerate standing for long periods of time, lifting heavy objects (or people), and performing a number of taxing maneuvers on a daily basis

8. Problem Solving Skill

A great nurse can think quickly and address problems as — or before — they arise.

9. Quick Response

A great nurse can respond quickly to emergencies and other situations that arise. Quite often, healthcare work is simply the response to sudden incidences, and nurses must always be prepared.

10. Respect

Great nurses respect people and rules. They are mindful of confidentiality requirements and different cultures and traditions. And they respect the wishes of the patient

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PRC Nursing Board Exam Schedule 2010

The Professional Regulation Commission announced last Thursday, January 07, 2010 that the 2010 nursing board examniation has been rescheduled.

As per Commission Resolution No. 2009-537 dated November 13, 2009, the board examniation has been moved from June and November to July and December. The board examniation will be on July 3 and 4, 2010 and December 12 and 13, 2010.

The following are the schedules:

July 3 - 4, 2010

Deadline for Applications:

Repeaters: April 14, 2010

First timers : May 14, 2010

December 13 - 14, 2010

Deadline for Applications:

Repeaters : September 8, 2010

First Timers: November 8, 2010

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