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PURPOSE. To better understand the concepts nursing presence and caring.
METHOD. Qualitative concept comparison and synthesis.
FINDINGS. There are substantive similarities and a notable lack of differences among the antecedents, attributes, and outcomes of nursing presence and caring. Presence and caring comprise an intentional therapeutic process that involves expert nursing practice and intimate interpersonal sensitivity. Outcomes of the process are improved mental and physical well-being among recipients and improved mental well-being among nurses.
CONCLUSIONS. Based on the preponderance of references to presence and caring in the nursing literature, it is inferred that they are important concepts, albeit substantively redundant.
IMPLICATIONS. To decrease confusion, nurses are urged to recognize the synonymous nature of presence and caring. Additional comparative studies are recommended to avoid redundant terminology and to promote clarity within the lexicon of nursing.
Search terms: Caring, concept analysis, nursing classification, nursing nomenclature, presence
doi: 10.1111/j.1744-618x.2008.00090.x
Presence and caring are ubiquitous terms within nursing (e.g., Humanistic Nursing [Paterson & Zderad, 1988]; Human Science and Human Care [Watson, 1988]; Science of Unitary Human Beings [Rogers, 1990]; Human Becoming [Parse, 1998]; and Culture Care Theory [Leininger, 1993]). Despite their widespread use, these concepts are poorly understood (Osterman, 2002; Sherwood, 1997), and the interrelationship between them is unclear (Covington, 2002, 2003; Gilje, 1993). Presence is asserted to be an aspect of caring (Fuller, 1991; Gardner, 1992; Mohnkern, 1992; Snyder, Brandt, & Tseng, 2000; Zerwekh, 1997) and, at the same time, synonymous (Covington, 2002; Godkin, 2001). Adding to the confusion is the use of the phrase caring presence (e.g., Covington, 2003; Engebretson, 2000; Nelms, 1996).
Recently, scholars have diligently worked to place nursing terminology into taxonomies (e.g., Omaha System, NANDA International, and the International Classification for Nursing Practice). These taxonomies consist of standardized sets of terms that are intended to improve nursing communication, refine decisionmaking tools, enhance electronic record keeping, and assist in the dissemination of evidence-based nursing interventions. Despite these positive steps, some nursing concepts remain difficult to clearly delineate and differentiate (Hardiker, Hoy, & Casey, 2000).
High-quality clinical practice, research, and theory development depend on well-defined and differentiated terminology. For this reason, increased efforts to understand nursing terms such as presence and caring are needed. The current analysis stemmed from an awareness of this need and, what...