Comparing Four Caring Theories for Application in Iran

This paper provides a comparison and critique of four nursing theories that define nursing as caring for nursing in Iran. The theory evaluation model provided by Meleis was used to organize this comparison. It consists of five phases: description, analysis, criticism, test, and support. The four theories are Jean Watson's theory of human caring, Katie Eriksson's theory of caritative caring, Kari Martinsen's philosophy of caring, and Anne Boykin and Savina Schoenhofer's theory of nursing as caring. While little has been written on the development of caring theory specific to an Iranian context, the authors in this paper seek to move forward the conversation and support the application of nursing as caring in Iran.