When the meaning of nursing is sought by scrutinizing the phenomenon,
that is, by examining the nursing event itself as it occurs in real
life, one finds nursing embedded within the human context. As a
nurturing response of one person to another in need, it aims at the
development of human potential, at well-being and more-being. As
something that happens between people, it reflects all the human
potential and limitations of the persons involved. As an intersubjective
transaction, it holds the possibility for both persons to effect and be
affected, the possibility for both to become more. At its very base,
then, nursing is humanistic. It is, at once, man's expression of and his
striving for survival and further development in community.
In a way, to specify nursing as humanistic seems redundant. In view of
its source and goals how could it be otherwise? However, the term
"humanistic nursing" was coined thoughtfully and used purposely here to
designate a particular nursing approach. Not only does the term signify
full recognition of nursing's human foundation and meaning but it also
points the direction for nursing's necessary development. What is
proposed here is the enrichment of nursing by exploring and expanding
its relations to its human context.