introduction to caring science: enhancing the caring culture

Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

Caritas in ActionHow Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our

patients and their families exceptional care

Caritas Consortium 2013Introduction to Caring Science: Enhancing the Caring Culture

Intent to Contribute Statement:

Purpose: The knowledge of Caring Science, shared by as many employees as possible, is the important step for

Caring Science enculturation. Although all nurses understand caring in the context of their learning and their

experience, Knowledge of Caring cannot be assumed (Watson, 2008, p.18). The New Registered Nurse Hospital

Nursing Orientation is a great opportunity to introduce Caring Science to more front-line staff.

Project Description: The primary reference of the Introduction to Caring Science presentation is The Philosophy and

Science of Caring (Watson, 2008), which provides information on Caring Science and Watson’s Ten Caritas

Processes™. The presentation is designed to pique the curiosity of RNs who attend this session, so that they will

continue to learn about Caring Science. One focus will be to enliven the rounds at the hospital that I lead as a

House Supervisor as the nurses and I create moments together, discuss together, and learn together to co-create

the Caritas field--a caring and healing environment.

The project developed in several phases:

Phase I: Building institutional strategic support for enhancing the caring culture.

Introduction to Caring Science:Enhancing the Caring Culture

Con’t:

Project Description:

Phase II: Planning a 45-minute Introduction to Caring Science program guided by Watson’s Caring Science and

Ten Caritas Processes™ that was both theoretical and experiential. The Introduction to Caring Science program

has these components:08:30-08:35 Welcome, Centering Moment using Jean Watson’s words from her book.

08:35-08:40 Theory-guided Practice and Caring Science - Who is Jean Watson?

08:40-08:50 Watson’s 10 Caritas Process™ as a guide of professional practice of Caring Science.

08:50-09:15 Self Care: Benefit of the caring mindset. Participants will experience practicing Breathing Meditation and Guided Imagery Meditation (Serenity Within) as examples of self care.

Caring Moment: The definition, sharing the moment from participants.

Phase III: Evaluation and refinement related to increased understanding of Caring Science and to its long-term

change in culture.

Project Outcome: Written and verbal feedback from nurses will be collected after each presentation, beginning

with the first presentation on 9/4/12 to evaluate learning. The feedback will be used to improve the Introduction to

Caring Science session as part of the ongoing monthly New Registered Nurse Hospital Nursing Orientation. An

exploration of this 45-minute Introduction to Caring Science about how it can be used other occasions will

continue. Future directions include working with the Director of Patient Experience to search for, or develop a

research instrument to assess Caring Science cultural change over time.



1 Names as listed in Lotus Notes, otherwise personal e-mails indicated

Keyword TAGs: Identifier

Consortium2013-July, San Mateo, Redwood City, Poster, Caritas Coach, Patient Care Services

Education & Staff Dev, Self

Descriptor Meditation, Caritas

Consciousness, Self-Care

Inspired Contributor(s) 1 : Mariko Peek – Caritas Coach

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Service Area: San Mateo

Medical Center: RWC

Affiliation: PCS

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Year Shared: 2013

Venue: Caritas Consortium

Format: Poster

ID #: n/a

introduction to caring science: enhancing the caring culture

Health & Medicine