The Human Context: Why Nursing is Engendered in Caring Practice

Rica Rose May Rubio, A.

Western Mindanao State University, Philippines

Dr. Rica Rose May Rubio, A. Western Mindanao State University, Philippines.

Keywords: Caring Practice; Nursing; Human Context

Abstract

We cannot define the term ‘nursing’ without mentioning the word ‘caring’, for caring and nursing have always been thought of synonymously. That, the notion of ‘caring’ has been explored throughout the history of nursing [1]. However, to espouse that the philosophy of nursing was developed from caring practice would entail us to look at the history of nursing.
Inevitably, we go back to Florence Nightingale who is considered as a pioneer of nursing. She is credited for her enormous contribution in the establishment of a public health care system and the training programs for nurses which gave basis to the nursing standards that ultimately, made nursing a profession today [2,3]. Her concern and compassion for others were evident in her actions, which is the very definition of caring as showing of concern for others or having compassion for others. Watson (1998) [4] acknowledged that although Nightingale did not talk in terms of transpersonal human caring, her life’s work and writings reflect both the timelessness and manifestation of such a concept and philosophy for holistic nursing.

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