Walker, L., & Avant, K. (1988). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange. Watson, J. (1988; 1985). Nursing: Human science and human care, a theory of nursing. Nor- walk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts. White, C.M. (1984). A critique of the ANA Social Policy Statement ... population and environment focused nursing. Nursing Outlook, 32 (6), 328-331. [Illustration: Button] CHAPTER II. -- NURSING AS CARING In Chapter 2, we will present the general theory of Nursing as Caring. Here, the unique focus of nursing is posited as nurturing persons living caring and growing in caring. While we will discuss the meaning of that statement of focus in general terms, we will also describe specific concepts inherent in this focus in the context of the general theory. If you recall, in Chapter 1 we discussed the several major assumptions that ground the theory of Nursing as Caring: * Persons are caring by virtue of their humanness * Persons are whole or complete in the moment * Persons live caring, moment to moment * Personhood is a process of living grounded in caring * Personhood is enhanced through participating in nurturing relationships with caring others * Nursing is both a discipline and profession In this and succeeding chapters, we will develop the nursing implications of these assumptions. All persons are caring. This is the fundamental view that grounds the focus of nursing as a discipline and a profession. The unique perspective offered by the theory of Nursing as Caring builds on that view by recognizing personhood as a process of living grounded in caring. This is meant to imply that the fullness of being human is expressed as one lives caring uniquely day to day. The process of living grounded in caring is enhanced through participation in nurturing relationships with caring others, particularly in nursing relationships. Within the theoretical perspective given herein, a further major assumption appears: persons are viewed as already complete and continuously growing in completeness, fully caring and unfolding caring possibilities moment-to-moment. Such a view assumes that caring is being lived by each of us, moment to moment. Expressions of self as caring person are complete in the moment as caring possibilities unfold; thus, notwithstanding other life contingencies, one continues to grow in caring competency, in fully expressing self as caring person. To say that one is fully caring in the moment also involves a recognition of the uniqueness of person with each moment presenting new possibilities to know self as caring person. The notion of "in the moment" reflects the