About WCSI
Watson Caring Science Institute (WCSI)
We're here for Nurses.
Watson Caring Science Institute is an international non-profit 501C(3) organization that advances the unitary philosophies, theories and practices of 'Caring Science’, developed by Jean Watson, Ph.D., RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, LL (AAN). Caring Science is a transdisciplinary approach that incorporates the art and science of caring and includes concepts from the fields of philosophy, ethics, ecology and mind-body-spirit medicine.
Watson's Caring Science improves patient care, and reduces staff burn out (research available upon request). There are many hospitals throughout the world who are now basing their professional practice model on Watson’s Caring Science Theory. Jean and her team of Caring Science Scholars offer unique consultations with national hospital systems, nursing schools and other care-giving facilities to help embed this values based, best practice theory. Excellent quality organizations such as Stanford Health Care (top 3% of hospitals nationally) are awarded our coveted designation: 'WCSI Affiliate System'.
First and foremost, Caring Science incorporates the ethic of caring which expands the medical technical model of science. This theory was developed by a nurse, for nurses and all caring professionals; and while our first responsibility is to uphold and uplift the discipline and profession of nursing, it goes beyond nursing. Nurses and human caring are critically important to the health and healing for humanity and the planet. We do this because as our Founder Jean Watson reminds us “nursing is the paradigm exemplar of human caring, the most mature healing profession in the world.”
Mission
Through education, practice, research and leadership, Watson Caring Science Institute’s mission is to inform, inspire and elevate nurses through its academic and clinical professional programs, focused on deep individual and cultural system change
Purpose
Watson Caring Science Institute’s purpose is to affirm and sustain the art and science of human caring in nursing, thereby elevating nursing’s leadership role in transforming healthcare.
Values
- Love is foundational to caring and healing (Caritas)
- Preserving human dignity
- Caring theory, ever evolving, translates to all levels of care
- Intentionally manifest constructive change
- Invite in, by attraction
“I have great respect for the work of the Institute (WCSI)."
Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
President, International Council of Nurses
We are the light in institutional darkness, and in this model we get to return to the light of our humanity.
What we do
Dr. Watson and WCSI faculty:
- provide a unique Affiliation program for Systems and Academic settings to implement Watson's Caring Science theories
- Award caring science evidenced and lived out through our popular (light touch application) Lotus Recognition
- offer expertise with unique packages for keynotes, speaking, consultations, and workshops from WCSI faculty
- offer a unique six month program Caritas Coach Educational Program * a deep dive to caring for self so to care for others
- provide six month program of personal mastery of leadership in our Caritas Leadership Program™*
- coordinate Country Groups particularly in WCSI Latino-Iberoamérica for Spanish and Portuguese colleagues
- offer selected clinical-educational-curriculum and research studies to meet diverse individual and system learning needs.
- Free courses* and virtual Caritas Healing Connections as a first step to understanding Caring Science
- Scientific enquiry, research and evidence using our Caritas Measures showing a full circle of knowledge and value added.
*Contact Hours Awarded programs
Every year WCSI in partnership with national caring science clinical educational systems, coordinate the Caritas Community Conference (CCC). Sponsored by clinical-academic organizations in various locations throughout the USA, implementing Caring Science in their settings, as exemplars of this transformative work. Other Caritas Consortia are now offered regionally in different parts of the country and other parts of the world.