Watson Caring Science Institute

Watson Caring Science Institute (wcsi) has developed a distinctive organizational model based on dr. jean Watson's Caring Science, also known as unitary Caring Science. Dr. Watson, along with wcsi faculty experts, researchers, and scholars, has collaborated with nurses and healthcare leaders worldwide to develop indicators for the affiliation program that embraces humanistic values. These indicators serve as a foundation for leaders and organizations to authentically and meaningfully showcase the act of Caring. The aim of being an affiliate with Watson's Caring Science is to achieve a meaningful organizational cultural transformation. Current wcsi affiliates have shared examples of how adopting Watson's Caring Science as their professional practice model can improve patient quality care (continued on schedule o) outcomes, improve staff care, create authentic healing environments, reduce staff turnover, support magnet designation/exemplars, and align with environmental, social, and governance (esg) sustainability.

The caritas leadership program has been developed for individuals and hospital systems, nursing schools, or other value/mission-driven organizations with a desire to develop and implement authentic care and value systems of Watson's Caring Science within their workplace and beyond. Targeted at executive nurse leaders (vp, cne, cno roles), academic clinical professors, and educators, the program focuses on exploring an evolved worldview of unitary Caring Science as a context for higher consciousness of leadership, informed by a value, philosophy, ethics, and ontology of 'belonging', connectedness, and relations. Caritas leaders will embrace unitary Caring Science intellectually and experientially through the power of caritas leadership circles, engage in the 10 caritas (continued on schedule o) processes as a foundation for ontological leadership practice, and become more congruent in personal and professional life to develop a deeper sense of mastery of self beyond roles. They will envision, articulate, and translate their personal/professional 'ontology of caritas leadership' toward organizational culture change, establish a shared caritas vision with others to create a collaborative community ('communitas') culture, and open to unexpected solutions that honor all ways of knowing, being, and becoming. Additionally, they will exercise cultural humility, allowing for multiple, diverse experiences, points of view, and different life patterns and beliefs, access and use caritas leadership circles for contemplation and inner silence toward compassionate, critical self-reflection, and experiment with Watson's 7 sacred sutras as an exemplar for connecting with spirit, mystery, and source (caritas process 10).

The caritas coach education program (ccep) is a unique, six-month professional development program that incorporates interactive online instruction, virtual small group intensives, and an assigned caritas faculty coach. Through a formal application process, a new class of students is admitted to the program every may and november. Through dynamic inquiry and collaborative, compassionate dialogue, participants will explore caritas consciousness and Caring literacy, preparing them to transform their personal and professional lives toward deeper meaning, purpose, dignity, and wholeness. As a caritas coach, participants will return to their settings with new insight, wisdom, skills, and confidence to give voice to and help translate and live out the theory and philosophy of human (continued on schedule o) caring-healing, in service of deep system transformation.wcsi and dr. Watson are proud to announce the launch of a new pilot project in partnership with kaiser permanente nurse scholars academy (kpnsa). This 'in-house' caritas coach education program (ccep) within kpnsa, entitled "kp ccep," will be led by kp caritas coach certified faculty under the direction of wcsi ccep director dr. lori gdanetz. The aim of the kp ccep program is to cultivate a robust caritas coaching community of practice. This community will serve as a platform where knowledge, experiences, and best practices in Caring Science are shared, enhancing the ability to serve patients and communities with the highest quality of care. Once the evaluation of the pilot has been conducted, wcsi will license this 'in-house' program to all eligible affiliates.

Our consultation services provide exclusive access to dr. Watson and wcsi faculty through a variety of formats, including webinars, conference events, and both on-site and virtual sessions. Participants can earn contact hours by engaging in our free massive open online courses, which are designed to deepen their understanding and application of Caring Science principles. These opportunities allow individuals to connect with leading experts in the field, gain valuable insights, and enhance their professional development in a flexible and accessible manner.

The post doctoral / senior scholars year study program, conducted in close collaboration with dr. Watson, is designed for applicants who wish to deepen their study and knowledge of Caring Science as a guide to an enlightened-unitary, sacred model of Science for education, practice, research, and leadership. This program facilitates deep personal and professional integration and extends one's scholarship and goals into Caring Science as sacred Science, an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary field of study and practice. Participants will engage in in-depth, on-site scholarly study in an intimate setting with dr. Watson.

The Watson Caring Science lotus recognition honors organizations that authentically commit to and demonstrate the values, philosophy, and human Caring theory-guided practices of Watson's Caring Science. This recognition reflects the organization's Caring and healing culture for staff, patients, and communities. It is intended for hospitals, care homes, or other mission-driven organizations and can be awarded at the unit, department, identified practice area, or program level within an organization, but not to individuals. Applicants must demonstrate their commitment to Watson's Caring Science theory through their practice, or what we refer to as 'praxis.' Wcsi defines praxis as the demonstration of exemplary informed loving kindness within one's work.

The middle eastern nurses conference brings together nurses from across the region who face daily threats to their communities, families, and themselves. United in their mission, these nurses advocate for healthier communities through care, compassion, and understanding. Centered in west and east jerusalem, the conference extends an invitation to all middle eastern nurses to join in the fight for tolerance and respect. As indira gandhi wisely said, "you can't shake hands with a clenched fist."

The wcsi membership program supports the organization, nursing, and the wider world. Memberships are annual and include a unique membership number, discounts in the Caring store, other perks and goodies throughout the year, and unique films and teachings by dr. Watson and caritas faculty.

The Caring store is an online marketplace dedicated to offering a curated selection of gifts, books, resources, and tools that resonate with our vision and values. Our goal is to provide products that are not only useful and aesthetically pleasing but also ethically sourced and environmentally friendly. We carefully select items that reflect our commitment to quality, sustainability, and social responsibility, ensuring that each purchase supports a greater purpose.