Poetic Transcription to Explore the Concept of Caring

Aims: To explore Sister Simone Roach’s caring model using poetry to illustrate real life nursingexemplars. These poems also served as a means of recognizing and teaching nurses about caring practicestypical to their workplace.Background: The organization had recently adopted Sr. Simone Roach’s caring model. This project wasdone in an attempt to translate the caring model into poems using exemplars of nurses within theorganization.Methodology: Poetic transcription, a form of qualitative research, engages people in reflective learningand serves as a 'way of knowing’. After IRB approval and consent, poems were created from exemplarsabout nurse of the year candidates. Member-checking was performed to review the poem with participantsand revise until accepted by the nurse. The poems were sent to Sr. Simone Roach who provided writtenconfirmation for the method used to transform her theory into a format understood by the practicing nurse.Poems were coupled with a professional photograph to add a visual dimension to the project.Results: Eighty-five nurse-of-the-year candidates were approached to participate in the study over thecourse of 3 years during 2009-2011. Two nurses declined consent. Poems were displayed alongside aprofessional picture of the candidate. The poems were shared during a celebratory luncheon, posted to thewebsite, described in a newsletter, shared as reflections, and used for training in orientation.Conclusions: This novel approach was a well-received methodology for translating the caring model intopractice. The research was a successful means of recognition, education, and reflection.