Caring as Being in Nursing: Unique or Ubiquitous

The purpose of this column is to explore ambiguities concerning the concept of caring as being in nursing and to consider if caring is unique to nursing or ubiquitous, present not only within other health disciplines, but as a potential choice for each person. Clarification is sought through an exploration of four pathways for thinking about caring as being-artistic endeavors, moving beyond self in caring relationships and spirituality, creating caring environments through caring-healing consciousness, and soulful caring consciousness. It is proposed that caring as being is an essential, but not necessarily unique, knowledge source within nursing.