Describe four ways you can implement a holistic nursing approach to care and facilitate healing. I

Holistic care refers to approaches and interventions that address the needs of the whole person: body, mind, emotion, and spirit. Consider the following case study:
You are caring for a first-time mother in a health clinic. While assessing the woman, you notice she is becoming visibly upset. When you ask, she notes that her mother, with whom she was very close, died last year and that she really would have loved to have shared this pregnancy with her. You empathize with the patient, as your own mother just died 6 months ago. She also notes that she and her partner have been bickering a lot lately on top of her feeling generally sore, tired, and overwhelmed.
Define holistic care in your own words. Describe four ways you can implement a holistic nursing approach to care and facilitate healing. In addition, you may consider the intersection of holistic care and caritas principles from Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science
Length: A minimum of 250 words, not including references
Citations: At least one high-level scholarly reference in APA from within the last 5 years
ANSWER
Holistic Care Definition
Holistic care is a comprehensive approach to healthcare that addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of the whole person. It is a philosophy of care that recognizes that all aspects of a person’s life are interconnected and that healing can be promoted by addressing all of these areas.
Four Ways to Implement a Holistic Nursing Approach to Care and Facilitate Healing
Create a safe and supportive environment. This means providing a space where the patient feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings, and where they know they will be accepted and respected. It also means being mindful of the patient’s physical needs, such as providing a comfortable place to sit or lie down and ensuring that they are not in pain.
Listen to the patient’s story. This is essential for understanding the patient’s unique needs and experiences. It is also an important way to build trust and rapport with the patient.
Assess the patient’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as asking questions, observing the patient, and using assessment tools.
Develop a care plan that addresses all of the patient’s needs. This plan should be individualized and developed in collaboration with the patient.
Intersection of Holistic Care and Caritas Principles from Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science
Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science is a holistic approach to nursing that emphasizes the importance of the caring relationship between the nurse and the patient. The theory identifies five caritas processes that nurses can use to express their caring:
Presencing: Being fully present with the patient and listening to their story.
Appreciating: Recognizing and valuing the patient’s unique individuality and worth.
Caring-knowing: Using one’s knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care for the patient.
Helping-trusting: Empowering the patient to participate in their own care and to make informed decisions about their health.
Acceptance: Accepting the patient for who they are, without judgment.
These caritas processes are all essential for providing holistic care. When nurses use these processes, they are able to create a caring relationship with their patients that promotes healing.
Applying Holistic Care and Caritas Principles to the Case Study
In the case study provided, the patient is a first-time mother who is experiencing a number of challenges, including the recent death of her mother, marital conflict, and physical discomfort. A holistic nursing approach to caring for this patient would involve the following:
Creating a safe and supportive environment. The nurse would provide the patient with a comfortable place to sit and talk, and would listen to her story with empathy and understanding.
Listening to the patient’s story. The nurse would ask the patient about her experiences, including her feelings about her mother’s death, her relationship with her partner, and her pregnancy.
Assessing the patient’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. The nurse would ask the patient about her physical symptoms, her mood and emotional state, and her spiritual beliefs.
Developing a care plan that addresses all of the patient’s needs. The nurse would work with the patient to develop a plan that includes strategies for coping with her grief, improving her relationship with her partner, and managing her physical discomfort.
The nurse could also use the caritas processes of Watson’s Theory of Human Caring to support the patient’s healing. For example, the nurse could be present with the patient by listening to her story without judgment and by providing her with emotional support. The nurse could also appreciate the patient’s unique individuality and worth by acknowledging her strengths and resilience. Additionally, the nurse could use her knowledge and skills to provide the patient with information and support about coping with grief, managing conflict, and promoting physical well-being. Finally, the nurse could help the patient to trust in her own ability to cope with her challenges and to make informed decisions about her care.
By providing holistic care and using the caritas principles of Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, the nurse can help the patient to heal and to thrive in her new role as a mother.
Reference
Watson, J. (2021). Theory of human caring: Science and practice. Elsevier.