In Northern California, Dr. Jean Watson’s theory of Human Caring, frequently referred to as Caring Science, informs our nurses’ professional practice and serves as the foundation for caring interactions with patients, families, and others, while nurturing healing caring cultures across the organization. Caring Science connects the nurse, patient, family, and health care team members by elevating caring consciousness and valuing authentic caring human relationships, honoring the very humanity of the patient, family, and others.

This intentional transformative connection is where healing and well-being occur for the patient and the care provider. Nurses flourish and achieve their higher purpose when experiencing transpersonal caring moments within the context of transforming their nursing practice from knowing and doing to being and continually becoming the caring healing environment. Nursing care from this ethical foundation connects us to our professional practice commitment to delivering high-quality, safe patient care that positively influences the patient’s healing, care experience, and optimal clinical outcomes.

As the world’s largest Watson Caring Science Institute affiliate, Kaiser Permanente Northern California has actualized the Kaiser Permanente National Professional Nursing Practice Model through the lens of the Caring Science. The threads of Dr. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and 10 Caritas Processes, often referred to as Caring Science, weave through and align with our Professional Practice Model. Caring Science voices our shared nursing values and guides our professional practice. Since 2008, Caring Science has helped our nurses remain connected to their true purpose. It has fueled our collective commitment to continually advance professional practice, support personal mastery, and foster transformative healing environments.

Aligned with our Caring Science theory, philosophy, and values, the Nurse Scholars Academy has offered theory-guided leadership development programs since 2015. These programs are grounded in the Theory of Human Caring, Appreciative Leadership concepts, and Leadership Development partnering with Watson Caring Science Institute (WCSI).