Nursing Theory: An Analysis of Watson's Transpersonal Theory

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Margaret Jean Watson's Transpersonal Theory, a prominent framework in nursing. The report begins with an introduction to Watson's background and her development of the theory, emphasizing her focus on the transpersonal and interpersonal aspects of care, empathy, and emotional warmth. The core concepts of the theory are then explored, including the formation of humanistic-altruistic value systems, instilling faith and hope, being sensitive to self and others, expressing positive and negative feelings, employing a systematic problem-solving approach, and promoting interpersonal teaching and learning. The report highlights how these concepts contribute to holistic healing and patient-centered care. Furthermore, the application of the theory in nursing practice, particularly with end-of-life and chronic neuropsychological patients, is discussed, underscoring the importance of humanistic nursing principles. The report concludes by positioning Watson's Transpersonal Theory as a fundamental concept in medical and community health nursing.

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

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feelings’ – ‘sharing feelings’ is an important aspect of nursing care. Providing a comfort level
to the patient in where, he or she can share his internal thought processes is more than
essential. E). Taking up of a systematic problem-solving approach and subsequent decision-
making – Using the nursing process with a problem-solving method to nursing care. F).
‘Promotion of an Interpersonal Teaching and Learning’ - is a cruicial ‘concept for nursing’
which separates ‘curing’ from ‘caring’. The concept deals with informed care and then shifts
the responsibility of health and wellness to patient himself. The theorist uses the ideas of a
holistic care that targets healing of body, mind and soul to make the treatment process – an
experientially beneficial process for both the patient and the nurse. These are the major
underpinnings of transpersonal theory (Jesse & Alligood, 2013).
Application of the practice to research
The theory can be used in daily nursing practice and especially with end of life
patients or chronic neuropsychological patients where psychological and spiritual support
become core areas of patient-centered care. A humanistic nursing or human becoming nurse
should imperatively adhere to the principles and concepts of transpersonal nursing. It can be
applied across all departments of patient care and this theory can be treated as a fundamental,
transcendental concept in medical and community health nursing.

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References
Alligood, M. R. (2017). Nursing Theorists and Their Work-E-Book. Elsevier Health
Sciences.
Clark, C. (2016). Watson’s human caring theory: Pertinent transpersonal and humanities
concepts for educators. Humanities, 5(2), 21.
Jesse, D. E., & Alligood, M. R. (2013). Watson’s philosophy and theory of transpersonal
caring. Nursing Theorists and Their Work-E-Book, 1191.
Pajnkihar, M., McKenna, H. P., Štiglic, G., & Vrbnjak, D. (2017). Fit for practice: Analysis
and evaluation of Watson’s theory of human caring. Nursing science quarterly, 30(3),
243-252.
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