Retrospective Analysis of Caring Efficacy After Completing a Unitary Human Caring Science Holistic Nursing Curriculum.

PurposeThe purpose of this project was to determine if there was a change in nursing students' self-perceived caring efficacy in a holistically endorsed BSN program. The curriculum embraced Unitary Human Caring Science (UHCS) and engaged students in self-care practices and caring literacy.DesignA retrospective quantitative study at a private Midwest university used undergraduate nursing student reported scores on the Coates Caring Efficacy Scale.MethodsNursing students completed the self-assessment at the beginning of the program and at the end of their final semester. Data were collected via Qualtrics and analyzed using SPSS.FindingsThere was a significantly higher mean of reported students' caring efficacy scale scores at the end of their senior semester compared to their first semester.ConclusionEducators are empowered to design curriculum grounded in holistic theory, such as UHCS, and incorporate components such as self-care, self-compassion, and self-reflection in order to enhance caring and compassion for patients.