Understanding caring as the central phenomenon of nursing is integral for successful nurse practitioners. Swanson’s five caring processes facilitate patient-centered care, enabling and empowering patients to make necessary decisions and actions for their well-being. Establishing trusting, respectful relationships through maintaining belief, knowing, being with, doing for, and enabling is crucial in the NP-patient relationship.
In my professional experience, I have utilized Swanson’s five processes. In 2004, I cared for a new mother who had suffered from HELLP syndrome, leading to fetal demise. I could connect with her, offer hope, understand her fears, be present with her, assist her physically, and enable her by providing resources for grief. This experience underscored the practical application of Swanson’s Theory of Caring.
Ahern et al. (2011) describe a case of a 38-year-old Caribbean woman with high-grade dysplasia, who struggled with depression and anxiety. By integrating Swanson’s caring processes, the clinic aimed to improve clinical outcomes and provide holistic care.
Conclusion
Theory may seem abstract, but it is essential for practical application in nursing. Swanson’s middle-range Theory of Caring provides empirical evidence for its application in evidence-based healthcare. Understanding and applying this theory ensures holistic, patient-centered care. Reflecting on Swanson’s processes, it is evident that they are interconnected and integral to the nursing metaparadigm, enhancing the nurse-patient relationship.
References
Ahern, R. L., Corless, I. B., Davis, S. M., & Kwong, J. J. (2011). Infusing Swanson’s Theory of Caring into an advanced practice nursing model for an infectious diseases anal dysplasia clinic. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 22(6), 478-488. doi:10.1016/j.jana.2011.06.010
Alimohammadi, N., Taleghani, F., Mohammadi, E., & Akbarian, R. (2014). The nursing metaparadigm concept of human being in Islamic thought. Nursing Inquiry, 21(2), 121-129. doi:10.1111/nin.12040