Guest Contributor: Serena Tobar
Doctoral Nursing Student, Texas Woman’s Univeristy

It feels as though artificial intelligence (AI) has bloomed overnight in healthcare; its roots spreading rapidly, its branches reaching into nearly every aspect of clinical practice. New applications emerge almost daily, and even for seasoned professionals, keeping pace can feel overwhelming. At my own institution, we recently piloted an AI tool designed to assist in diagnosing and treating seizure activity. I was struck by its precision in distinguishing true seizure events from artifact, significantly reducing the need for on-call neurodiagnostic technologists. The efficiency was undeniable. But as I watched this technology perform with remarkable accuracy, I found myself asking: What does this mean for the soul of nursing?

Understanding AI: More Than Just Algorithms

To thoughtfully engage with AI in healthcare, we must first understand what it is. Artificial intelligence refers to the design and engineering of machines that simulate human cognition: reasoning, perceiving, learning, and predicting (Bajwa et al., 2021; Xu et al., 2021). Programs like ChatGPT offer human-like responses to text input, demonstrating how AI can mimic conversation and thought (Wen & Wang, 2023). In clinical settings, AI now assists in analyzing echocardiograms, radiographs, and pathology images, helping extend care to underserved regions and streamline diagnosis (Poalelungi et al., 2023; Sezgin, 2023).

Yet, as these tools become more embedded in our workflows, a paradox emerges: while we gain efficiency, we risk losing intimacy. The screen becomes a barrier. The algorithm, a substitute for presence. And so, the question arises—how do we preserve the essence of human caring in an increasingly digital world?

Jean Watson’s Human Caring Theory: A Compass in the Digital Age

Jean Watson’s “Human Caring Theory” offers a philosophical and ethical framework to guide nursing practice, even amid technological transformation. Her 10 Caritas Processes (Embrace, Inspire, Trust, Nurture, Forgive, Deepen, Balance, Co-create, Minister, and Open) invite nurses to center compassion, connection, and presence in every interaction (Watson Caring Science Institute, 2025).

These principles were once easier to embody when our hands were less tethered to keyboards. But Watson’s Caring in the Digital World (Sitzman & Watson, 2017) reminds us that these processes are not relics of a pre-digital era—they are adaptable, resilient, and essential in the age of AI.

Let’s explore how each Caritas Process can guide our integration of AI while preserving the sacredness of human care.

Caritas Process 1: Embrace – Cultivating Compassion in a Digital Landscape
Compassion begins with grace. At my institution, we emphasize assuming positive intent: whether in emails, patient interactions, or staff exchanges. Gratitude becomes a daily practice. When working with AI, we extend this grace to the technology itself, recognizing its imperfections and allowing space for questions and learning.

Caritas Processes 2 & 3: Inspire and Trust – Presence Amidst Distraction
AI promises efficiency, but it can also encourage multitasking. True presence, being fully attentive to another, builds trust. As patients gain access to their medical records and digital tools, our role is to slow down, listen, and create space for understanding.

Caritas Processes 4 & 5: Nurture and Forgive – Honoring Emotional Expression
AI cannot replicate the emotional depth of human relationships. Patients will continue to crave genuine connection. Active listening and emotional presence remain irreplaceable, reminding us that healing is not just physical, it is relational.

Caritas Process 6: Deepen – Creativity and Ethical Reflection
AI can enhance creativity, offering new tools for expression and artistry. But we must remain ethically vigilant. Who owns AI-generated art? What biases shape its outputs? Caring requires not just innovation, but reflection.

Caritas Process 7: Balance – Teaching with Heart
AI can generate educational materials, but the nurse’s role as a teacher is deeply personal. Whether guiding a patient or mentoring a student, our presence imbues learning with empathy. Podcasts, videos, and digital tools can support, but never replace the human touch.

Caritas Process 8: Co-create – Protecting Dignity in a Data-Driven World
AI learns through data. Nurses must safeguard patient privacy and dignity, ensuring that technological advancement never comes at the cost of ethical care.

Caritas Process 9: Minister – Reverence for the Human Experience
To care for another is not merely a task, it is a moral and existential privilege. In the simple acts of bathing, feeding, or holding a hand, we affirm the dignity of the human spirit. These gestures, though small, carry profound meaning. They are the essence of nursing, and they remain untouched by the reach of artificial intelligence.

Caritas Process 10: Open – Embracing Mystery and Possibility
AI is a mystery – powerful, evolving, and still largely unknown. As nurses, we remain open to its potential while grounded in our commitment to human dignity. We embrace the miracle of technology but never lose sight of the miracle of care.

Final Reflections: Technology as Tool, Not Replacement
AI is not the enemy of nursing; it is a tool. But tools must be wielded with wisdom. Jean Watson’s theory reminds us that caring is not a task; it is a way of being. As we navigate the digital frontier, let us remain rooted in compassion, presence, and ethical reflection. The future of nursing is not just high-tech, it must also be high touch.

References

10 Caritas Processes®. (2025). Watson Caring Institute. Retrieved July 27, 2025 from https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/about-wcsi/jean-bio/caring-science-theory/10-caritas-processes/

Bajwa, J., Munir, U., Nori, A., & Williams, B. (2021). Artificial intelligence in healthcare: transforming the practice of medicine. Future Healthcare journal, 8(2), e188–e194. https://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2021-0095

Poalelungi, D. G., Musat, C. L., Fulga, A., Neagu, M., Neagu, A. I., Piraianu, A. I., & Fulga, I. (2023). Advancing patient care: How artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 13(8), 1214. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13081214

Sezgin E. (2023). Artificial intelligence in healthcare: Complementing, not replacing, doctors and healthcare providers. Digital Health, 9, 20552076231186520. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231186520

Sitzman, K. & Watson, J. (2017). Watson’s caring in the digital world. Springer Publishing Company.
Wen, J., & Wang, W. (2023). The future of ChatGPT in academic research and publishing: A commentary for clinical and translational medicine. Clinical and Translational Medicine, 13(3), e1207. https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.1207

Xu, L., Sanders, L., Li, K., & Chow, J. C. L. (2021). Chatbot for health care and oncology applications using artificial intelligence and machine learning: Systematic Review. JMIR Cancer, 7(4), e27850. https://doi.org/10.2196/27850

About Serena Tobar

Serena Tobar is an education resource specialist for Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Visiting Professor for Chamberlain University. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing Science at Texas Woman’s University. Over the last 22 years, she has worked in various areas of nursing, including home health, acute care, hospital education, and academic education. Outside of employment, Serena enjoys reading and writing and has published a short collection of poems.