Legacy Emanuel Case Study

Theory and Practice: Legacy Emanuel and Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring

Nursing theory has originally aimed to describe the nurse-patient relationship. But nursing theory can also help guide nursing leadership practice. Nursing leadership at Legacy Emanuel will be examined through the lens of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. The organization and theory will be described below. Additionally the organization will be analyzed based on the theory assumptions. Suggestions for practice improvements or theory revisions will also be made.

Description of the Organization Legacy Emanuel is one of six hospitals within the Legacy Health System. Emanuel is home to a level I trauma center, is a certified stroke and chest pain center, and offers

a). Values include respect, service, quality, excellence, responsibility, innovation, and leadership. Legacy also utilizes a nursing philosophy to guide nursing practice. The philosophy is based on patient and family center care, respect for patients and a commitment to compassion and integrity (Legacy Health, n.d. b) The philosophy also includes a focus on interdisciplinary teamwork and evidence based practice. Nursing values are excellence, teamwork, respect, integrity, and compassion.

Description of the Theory Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is based on caring science (Watson, 2005). The theory is most often used to describe nurse-patient relationships as the core premise is that “nurses have a moral commitment to form transpersonal relationships with others” (Williams, McDowell, & Kautz, 2011, p 32). Transpersonal caring relationships are supported by the caritas processes and caring moments (Pipe, 2008). The transpersonal relationship is grounded in the caritas processes. These processes are based on intentional actions that reflect preserving dignity, humanity, love, compassion, altruistic presence, sensitivity to self and others, and the interconnectedness of being (Watson, 2005). Furthermore the caring moment occurs when both the nurse and other person acknowledge and share a transaction of caring, based on the

For Legacy to prioritize caring within its organization, it would need to include caring language in its mission, values, and specifically the nursing philosophy and values. These caring values then would impact all aspects of the organization and would not be just grassroots efforts. Legacy should also continue to offer leadership retreats, speakers, and meetings that focus on caring. Leaders should also focus on self-care. The Theory of Human Caring can be better extended to leadership through linkages to leadership theory. There is currently one model that utilizes the Theory of Human Caring to define the leader’s role in caring. The McDowell-Williams model unites the Theory of Human Caring to Kouzes and Posner’s leadership theories (Williams, McDowell, & Kautz, 2011). The model provides specific caring-leadership core values. Legacy health is a large organization in the Portland area that is aiming to understand the leader’s role in caring. Leadership has begun to explore rekindling transpersonal relationships among the staff and leaders. However its mission and values are incongruent with this practice. For Legacy to truly become a caring organization and work within the Theory of Human Caring, it would need to adopt caring language into the mission and add it to their