This document describes a project to introduce Caring Science concepts to nurses at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. The project has three phases: 1) gaining institutional support, 2) developing a 45-minute introductory presentation covering Jean Watson's Caring Science theory and Ten Caritas Processes, and 3) evaluating the program and providing feedback to improve cultural change over time. The goal is to enhance the caring culture at Kaiser by educating more frontline staff on Caring Science principles and practices.

1. Kaiser Permanente, Northern California
Caritas Consortium 2013
Introduction to Caring Science:
Enhancing the Caring Culture
Caritas in Action
How Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our
patients and their families exceptional care

2. Introduction 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.
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3. 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.
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4. Introduction to Caring Science:
Enhancing the Caring Culture
Inspired Contributor(s) 1 :
Mariko Peek – Caritas Coach

Keyword TAGs:
Identifier
Service Area: San Mateo
 Consortium2013-July, San
Mateo, Redwood City, Poster,
Caritas Coach, Patient Care
Services
Medical Center: RWC
 Education & Staff Dev, Self
------
Affiliation: PCS
-----Year Shared: 2013
Venue: Caritas Consortium
Format: Poster
ID #: n/a
1
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Names as listed in Lotus Notes, otherwise personal e-mails indicated
Descriptor
 Meditation, Caritas
Consciousness, Self-Care

5. Introduction to Caring Science:
Enhancing the Caring Culture
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