Other Titles
Sustaining a Culture of Caring: Strategic Vision for Watson Caring Science Integration [Poster Title]
Abstract
Summary: A Caring Science theory was used to create a culture of caring measurable through Magnet® behaviors, strategy, and initiatives then validated by patient and nursing satisfaction tools. This presentation shows the blueprint for embedding a caring culture.
Purpose: This presentation describes an academic healthcare organization’s decade-long strategic integration of Watson’s Caring Science into organizational culture, clinical practice, Magnet nursing behaviors, education, leadership, and research. It aims to provide a replicable blueprint for health systems seeking to embed heart-centered, evidence-informed care as a strategic imperative.
Methods: Caring Science was operationalized within interprofessional teams across four domains: Leadership/Legacy, Education, Praxis, and Research/Inquiry1-4. An early strategy was building Caritas Coaches® through all levels of leadership and the organization. This strategy created grassroots integration and structure. A Caring Science culture was strategically embedded in operational plans, professional practice model, transition and fellowship programs, orientation and leadership development programs1,3,4. The integration strategy built framework and expectations. With a focus on sustaining and spread, innovative interactive programs designed for all members of the care team were piloted in 2022. The Caritas Community Connections, Humanistic Care Certificate Program, and Caritas Coach Education Program had a goal of expanding Caring Science integration support to every area of the organization. The Research strategy used validated tools to measure caring behaviors in both patient and nursing satisfaction surveys5.
Outcomes: Caring Science is enculturated as witnessed in the organizational mission “To Care, To Educate, To Discover”. There are over 200 Caritas Nurses or Coaches along with 35 Caritas Partners of non-nursing professionals. More than 400 Caring Science projects/initiatives were completed since inception. Patients rate satisfaction on caring above 87% for all caring questions. Three of the top drivers for nursing satisfaction were related to the Caring Science culture.
Implications: This journey affirms Caring Science is a theoretical framework with transformational movement2. When integrated across systems, it fosters healing environments, enhances caregiver resilience, and humanizes healthcare. This blueprint offers a scalable model for health systems committed to compassionate, evidence-informed care.
Notes
References:
1. Kennedy, K., Leclerc, L., & Campis, S. (2022). Human-centered leadership in healthcare: Evolution of a revolution. Morgan James Publishing.
2. Watson, J. (2018). Unitary Caring Science: The Philosophy and Praxis of Nursing. University Press of Colorado.
3. Watson Caring Science Institute. (2025). 10 Caritas Processes®. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/about-wcsi/jean-bio/caring-science-theory/10-caritas-processes
4. Watson, J. (2025). Intentional Ontological Nursing Design. In Metaphysics of Watson Unitary Caring Science (pp. 239–244). essay, Springer.
5. Westergren, A. (2025). Cultural adaptation and content validation of the Watson Caritas Patient Score® for Latin American Spanish context. Journal of Research in Nursing, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871251333623
Sigma Membership
Alpha Alpha Lambda at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Workforce, Interprofessional Initiatives, Theory, Work Environment, Corporate Culture, Caring Science, Caring
Recommended Citation
Hernandez, Grissel; Oreo, Gisso M.; and Moreno, Janette V., "Strategic Enculturation of a Watson’s Caring Science Culture: Reflection of a Ten-Year Journey" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 76.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/76
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-25
Strategic Enculturation of a Watson’s Caring Science Culture: Reflection of a Ten-Year Journey
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Summary: A Caring Science theory was used to create a culture of caring measurable through Magnet® behaviors, strategy, and initiatives then validated by patient and nursing satisfaction tools. This presentation shows the blueprint for embedding a caring culture.
Purpose: This presentation describes an academic healthcare organization’s decade-long strategic integration of Watson’s Caring Science into organizational culture, clinical practice, Magnet nursing behaviors, education, leadership, and research. It aims to provide a replicable blueprint for health systems seeking to embed heart-centered, evidence-informed care as a strategic imperative.
Methods: Caring Science was operationalized within interprofessional teams across four domains: Leadership/Legacy, Education, Praxis, and Research/Inquiry1-4. An early strategy was building Caritas Coaches® through all levels of leadership and the organization. This strategy created grassroots integration and structure. A Caring Science culture was strategically embedded in operational plans, professional practice model, transition and fellowship programs, orientation and leadership development programs1,3,4. The integration strategy built framework and expectations. With a focus on sustaining and spread, innovative interactive programs designed for all members of the care team were piloted in 2022. The Caritas Community Connections, Humanistic Care Certificate Program, and Caritas Coach Education Program had a goal of expanding Caring Science integration support to every area of the organization. The Research strategy used validated tools to measure caring behaviors in both patient and nursing satisfaction surveys5.
Outcomes: Caring Science is enculturated as witnessed in the organizational mission “To Care, To Educate, To Discover”. There are over 200 Caritas Nurses or Coaches along with 35 Caritas Partners of non-nursing professionals. More than 400 Caring Science projects/initiatives were completed since inception. Patients rate satisfaction on caring above 87% for all caring questions. Three of the top drivers for nursing satisfaction were related to the Caring Science culture.
Implications: This journey affirms Caring Science is a theoretical framework with transformational movement2. When integrated across systems, it fosters healing environments, enhances caregiver resilience, and humanizes healthcare. This blueprint offers a scalable model for health systems committed to compassionate, evidence-informed care.
Description
A Caring Science theory was used to create a culture of caring measurable through Magnet® behaviors, strategy, and initiatives then validated by patient and nursing satisfaction tools. This presentation shows the blueprint for embedding a caring culture.