The following ten carative factors form a framework for understanding nursing as the science of caring. Watson uses the term “carative” instead of “curative” to distinguish between nursing and medicine. “Whereas curative factors aim at curing the patient of disease, carative factors aim at the caring process that helps the person attain (or maintain) health or die a peaceful death” (Watson, 1985, p.7). As nurses you would use these carative factors in delivery of health care to your clients.
The 10 carative factors are:
 |
The formation of a humanistic-altruistic system of values |
|
|
The instillation of faith-hope |
|
|
The cultivation of sensitivity to one’s self and to others |
|
|
The development of a helping-trusting relationship |
|
|
The promotion and acceptance of the expression of positive and negative feelings |
|
|
The systematic use of the scientific problem-solving method for decision making |
|
|
The promotion of interpersonal teaching-learning |
|
|
The provision for a supportive, protective, and (or) corrective mental, physical, sociocultural, and spiritual environment |
|
|
Assistance with the gratification of human needs |
|
|
The allowance for existential-phenomenological forces |
(Watson, 1985, p. 9-10)
