Seeing the Field: Applying Watson’s Unitary Caring Science to Discern Racism

Raising unitary consciousness is fundamental in critical social praxis as the nursing profession grapples with its past and present relationships with racism. Watson’s Unitary Caring Science guides nurses to embody practice that uplifts compassionate care and champions human dignity and belonging. However, contradiction resounds and persists; racial discrimination cannot exist simultaneously with unitary caring moments. An examination of how White comfort and White supremacy influence the Caritas–Veritas Field and a consideration of how nursing’s perceived caring ideology could act as a barrier to racial justice praxis are provided. By answering Watson’s call to see the field, move beyond the ego-self, and build positionality-informed consciousness to disrupt racism within caring moments, nurses can be better aligned with the ethical and moral standards of the profession.