Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Vol. 32 No. 6 June 2006
By Suzanne K. Sikma, PhD, RN
EXCERPT
Caring is a highly desirable phenomenon for humans in their relationships, and is studied by scholars from a broad range of disciplines (Mayeroff, 1971; Noddings, 1984; Watson, 1999). Nursing homes are expected to provide the desirable commodity of caring to residents. Yet often staff employed to provide this caring service complain that the organization itself leaves them feeling used, abused, and burned-out rather than cared about. It is essential to identify strategies to develop nursing homes as caring places that minimize caregiver stress and optimize positive connections, capacity, and commitment of the caregiving staff.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Sikma is Associate Professor, Nursing Program, University of Washington, Bothell, Bothell, Washington.
This research was funded by the National Center for Nursing Research (NIH) through the Nursing Systems Training Program NRSA No. 5 T32 NR 07038-04 and Individual NRSA F31 NR 06629. Additional funding was provided by the Hester McLaws Nursing Scholarship Fund at the University of Washington School of Nursing and by Sigma Theta Tau, Psi Chapter-at-Large. The author acknowledges the contributions of the nursing home staff members who volunteered their time and insights for this study.
The author discloses that she has no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Suzanne K. Sikma PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Nursing Program, University of Washington, Bothell, Box 358532, 18115 Campus Way, Bothell, WA 98011-8246.
