2022 Volume 42 Pages 212-221
Objective: To clarify emergency department nurses’ nursing practice for critically ill patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring (1988/1992).
Method: This research used a qualitative descriptive study design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five emergency department nurses. The interviews used the Caritas process of the Human Caring Theory (Watson, 2012/2014) and the five groups of Watson’s explanatory models presented by Torres (1986/1992) as a framework.
Results: Emergency department nurses’ nursing practices based on the Human Caring Theory for critically ill patients with AMI were extracted 60 codes and classified into 21 categories. It was found that the nurses approach the patients holistically with a philosophical foundation that endorses the science of caring, protects human dignity, and practices human caring to maximize support for the patient’s greatest needs. Because of the specific characteristics of care, the practice is devised to build relationships with patients, develop nursing processes, and adopt a metaphysical approach.
Conclusion: The emergency department nurses’ nursing practice based on the Human Caring theory is provided by addressing their holistic needs, including saving the patient’s life whilst building a relationship of trust.
