Transpersonal Nursing Theory by Margaret Jean Harman Watson

Running head: NURSING THEORY
NURSING THEORY
Name of Student
Name of University
Author note

NURSING THEORY1
INTRODUCTION OF THE THEORIST
In southern part of West Virginia - Margaret Jean Harman Watson, grew up in a town
called Welch. Subsequent to moving to Colorado, Watson proceeded with her nursing study
and graduate examinations at the University of Colorado. She earned a 'bachelor' degree in
nursing in the year of 1964 at the 'Boulder grounds', a ‘master’s’ degree in 'psychiatric health
nursing' nursing in 1966 at the 'Health Sciences campus'. She worked activity in various
community programs and with experience and academic progress; she became an expert in
human caring, health and healing (Pajnkihar et al., 2017). She served as distinguished nursing
professor and with many of her significant nursing theories, she became the pioneer of
transpersonal nursing theory.
Watson bases the transpersonal theory with an emphasis on transpersonal and
interpersonal attributes of the congruence (Alligood, 2017), the empathy (Clark, 2016) and
imparting of an emotional warmth to the patient. These was the cardinal thinking behind
formulation of this theory. Watson points to phenomenological approach by Carl Rogers
and supports the view that the role of nurse is not to manipulate or to control the subjects but
to comprehend the big picture of clinical servicing and patient centric nursing based on
caring, wholeness and holistic healing of the subjects.
Major concepts of Transpersonal Theory
The concepts are - A). Formation of Humanistic altruistic vale system – the practice of
altruism is the core motive and characteristic of a good nurse. B). Instilling Faith and Hope –
This concept incorporates the humanistic and the altruistic values, facilitating a holistic and
positive care of the patient population. C). Being sensitive to self and to others- Self-
acceptance and self-actualization helps in recognition of feeling and this is pertinent to nurse
and to the patient. D). ‘Acceptance, promotion, expression of the positive and the negative