Transformative caring theory: A theoretical synthesis.

Purpose: To develop an integrated nursing educational theory using Walker and Avant's theoretical synthesis methodology.

Data sources: Watson's Theory of Human Caring, Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory, and nursing literature related to undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of caring.

Data synthesis: Key concepts from these theories were synthesized in the formation of the transformative caring theory.

Conclusions: The transformative caring theory provides a framework for nurse educators to foster nursing students' development of caring behaviors and caring competencies through emancipatory and transformative education.

Implications for nursing practice: To assist undergraduate students to gain an understanding of the importance of developing new caring meaning perspectives and caring attributes in their becoming contemporary, caring, compassionate professional nurses. Harnessed with this knowledge, students can become empowered as patient advocates through humanistic, emancipatory, and relational caring praxis to potentiate health, reduce human suffering, and address issues of social injustices and health inequities.