A Holistic,A Holistic,Christian Philosophy of Christian Philosophy of CaringCaring

by Shirley Rawlins, RN, CS, DSN

Georgia Baptist College of NursingAtlanta, GA

INTRODUCTION Philosophy of the College

includes the words “LOVE”, “CONCERN”, and “CARING”

What do these words mean to you and to me?

How do these concepts shape what we do?

CHARACTERISTICS OF CARING Being connected and having things matter (Benner & Wrubel, 1989)

Helps another person grow (Mayeroff, 1971)

We learn to care in our families of origin (Patton & Childs, 1988)

We learn to relate to: Peers as we relate to siblings

authority as we relate to parents

patients and coworkers as we relate to friends

The CARINGCARING concept is a thread that will continue through every course we teach, through every clinical experience, and hopefully through all we do at the College. . .

CARING FOR OURSELVES Caring for ourselves is integral

to caring for others

Love your neighbor AS yourself

Self-love is a pre-requisite to loving and caring for others

“LOVING MYSELF” by Ulrich Schaffer

“I’M HAPPIEST WHEN MOST AWAY” by Emily Bronte

CARE AND CURE Care and cure are frequently

confused; they are not the same someone can be cured without

being cared for, and can be cared for without being cured

cure means ridding a person of disease; care is a process that helps a person attain health or die a peaceful death (Watson, 1979)

FACTORS AFFECTING CARING BEHAVIORS

culture and values cost maturation level stress levels time

CONCEPTS CONFUSED WITH CARING

love sex concern intimacy duty

DEMONSTRATION OF CARING FOR OTHERS VERBAL

words directly to a person prayers on behalf of another

person NON-VERBAL

body language facial expression touch

SUMMARY

CARING WORKS.CARETAKING DOESN’T.