The past few decades have seen immense change in the conceptualization of vulnerability, resulting in members of vulnerable groups requesting that their subjective experiences be seen as valid. In response, researchers have proposed the use of emancipatory and participatory research; forms of research that would alter the traditional power relationships between researchers and their subjects. This article relates these developments specifically to nursing research and proposes that adopting a humanist philosophy could assist in achieving research that acknowledges vulnerable individuals and their personal experiences, challenges the current norm that puts researchers in control of the research agenda, and frames nursing practice according to caring science principles (ethos).

Communication between a nurse and a patient is a shared process that forms the basis for the professional relationship that is foundational for enhancing patient care and affecting patient outcomes. Both hermeneutical and descriptive methodologies were used to examine nurse-patient communication dimensions and identify patient-preferred nurse behaviors. Patients in three age groups participated in an interview and survey questionnaire. Use of the Nurse-Patient Communication Assessment Tool recognized a one-dimension model of patient-nurse relational communication comprised of calm, comfortable, caring, interested, sincere, accepting, and respectful. Responses to the Health Communication Interview questionnaire identified preferred behaviors patients want and expect from nurses as caring, warm/friendly, professional, competent, empathy, listens, and honest/sincere.

The application of Swanson’s (1991) mid-range caring theory in clinical practice is the focus of this paper. The clinical practice example chosen to highlight this theory was an interaction observed by a nursing student between a nursing instructor and an elderly woman who had experienced an embarrassing incidence of bowel incontinence. This example of caring behavior will have a significant influence on the nursing student’s future nursing practice.

This study was conducted to examine the nurse’s perception of being cared for in the hospital work environment. A survey design was used with a modified questionnaire based on Watson’s (2008) caring theory. Physical needs, spiritual needs, intellectual stimulation, and authentic relationships were domains measured. Results indicated an overall perception of caring (5.27 on a 7-point scale); however, there is significant variation in perception of caring among units within the hospital. Additional research is recommended for tool refinement and the development of a language of caring to help promote more meaningful communication among staff and patients.

This article describes a course to enhance caring ability, which the author designed and taught for 3 consecutive years, including course foundations, course themes, teaching strategies, and outcomes. Course design was based on two models established by the author in previous studies. The semester-long course focused sequentially on care for self, others, and the community. Each class session was arranged to include opportunities for reflection, group discussion, oral presentation, and lecture. Both student feedback and quantitative analysis indicated that student caring behavior significantly improved.

This article presents findings from a literature review concerning grandparenting in healthcare. Using qualitative content analysis, data were collected from CINAHL and organized in three categories: transition to grandparenthood; grandparental roles; and grandparental health and well-being due to transitions and roles. The review demonstrated a growing number of studies on grandparents rearing grandchildren and sparse studies on other issues. Grandparenting is discussed in a human caring paradigm as a phenomenon based on love and care, and as containing suffering that gives health problems. Directions for future research encompass how nurses include grandparents in the care of the sick grandchild.