Upcoming Event
A review of mindful self-compassion interventions in nurses found medium-to-large benefits for self-compassion, vacarius trauma, burnout, compassion fatigue, with high adherence. Self-compassion programs for nurses also found reductions in burnout and depressive symptoms and increases in self-compassion and quality of life and improved delivery of care. The evidence supports short, structured self-compassion practices as a practical way to lower stress and promote well-being.
Observe, discern without judgement | Name the feeling that arise kindly | Polyvegal approaches to support recovery from stress
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Consortia Leader
Joseph Giovannoni
DNP, MA, MSN, PMHCNS-BC, APRN
Joseph Giovannoni DNP, MA, MSN, PMHCNS-BC, APRN
Founder and Director of Joseph Giovannoni, Inc.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Advanced Practice Nurse
Watson Caring Science Postdoc Scholar
AASECT Certified Diplomate in Sex Therapy
Honolulu, HI
Caritas Colleague
Dr. Giovannoni is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and a Watson Caring Science Institute Postdoctoral Scholar and Caritas Coach. He received his DNP from Brandman University. He is an Advanced Practice Nurse and with prescriptive authority specializing in psychiatric nursing in Hawaii. He is Certified as a Diplomate of Sex Therapy by the American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapist. He is a clinical member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. He has been in private practice in Honolulu since 1989. He provides holistic, compassionate, evidence-informed, person-centered mental health treatment and forensic evaluations. He has integrated Dr. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring into his forensic practice. He has published chapters in nursing books and peer review journals on the praxis of human caring in forensic nursing. He has also published evidence-informed articles in forensic peer review journals. He teaches and lectures globally on Caring Science and the application of mindful micro practices. Dr. Giovannoni believes that all human problems stem from a perceived lack of love and that the practice of loving-kindness to self and others can facilitate healing. It is important to bring a calm, soothing, loving, and compassionate presence to facilitate a healing environment. Consciously embodying the practice of the Ten Caritas Processes™ in his forensic practice has facilitated patient’s cooperation and transformative caring moments.
Previous Events
Sex Abuse Prevention Through the Lens of Caring Science
January 15, 2026 | 11:00 AM HST, 1:00 PM PST, 4:00 PM EST
Moderator: Dr. Joseph Giovannoni, DNP, MA, MS, PMHCNS-BC, APRN
OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify the relationship of adverse childhood experiences to sexual abuse and sexually compulsive behavior.
2. Integrate principles of Caring Science in trauma recovery with victims of sexual abuse.
3. Maintain human dignity with Caring Science micro-practices while holding sex abusers accountable for their actions.
Dr. Giovannoni’s clinical insights on the etiology of sexual abuse are supported by evidence-based research emphasizing that sexual offending behavior is complex and multifactorial. Research indicates that sexual abuse is often a learned behavior influenced by adverse early developmental conditions such as poor caregiver relationships, cognitive distortions, and issues with self-regulation and impulse control. Social learning theories further explain that exposure to sexually violent material and early victimization can contribute, though not all who are abused become offenders, highlighting protective factors like social support and resilience. Through the lens of Caring Science, Dr. Giovannoni’s approach helps health science professionals understand these nuanced causes and contexts. His work promotes awareness by dismantling common misconceptions and stigma, and a model of compassion in therapeutic practice. This humanizes treatment for challenging populations by aiming to reduce shame and resistance, essential for effective prevention and rehabilitation efforts.
The Heart of Nursing is Caring: Caring for Self First
May 29, 2025 | 1:00pm, Hawaii
Moderated by: Dr. Joseph Giovannoni, HAPN WCSI Caritas Consortia
Dr. Giovannoni is WCSI Caritas Coach, Caring Science PostDoc Scholar. In 2016, he was awarded the Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses Leadership Award and the Outstanding Alumni award, University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing 60 Year Gala. In 2019, he was awarded the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Award for Excellence in Innovation- Individual. In 2023, he received the Visionary Watson Caring Science Leadership Award. Embodying the 10 Caritas Processes TM gives language to what we do as nurses (Watson, 2008). Caritas Process one, “Cultivating the practice of loving-kindness and equanimity toward self and others” begins with self first as we manage job related stress, and develop compassion renewal as nurses address the daily challenges of the profession. Dr. Giovannoni will discuss how he integrated Caritas in his forensic practice to address his stress, and decrease compassion fatigue while working with victims of sexual assault and men who have committed sexually abusive behavior. Embodying and practicing Caritas facilitates better clinical outcomes while supporting victims recovery and holding sex abusers accountable and responsible for their actions.
Italian Nurses Caring Science Support Group
March 13, 2025 | 7:30AM, Hawaii
Moderated by: Dr. Joseph Giovannoni DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
Reflections of Italian nursing experiences with Jean Watson's Human Caring Theory. Please join us for this special event for a dialogue on the benefits of Jean Watson’s Caring Science theory in delivering patient care and the nurse’s self-care. What have been the barriers in the health care system in implementing the theory in Italy? The application of the Ten Caritas Processes® define and gives language to what nurses do as well as helping the nurse navigate their own self-care. Caring Science and Jean Watson’s Unitary Caring Science promotes unity, generosity of spirit, teamwork and collaboration in the health care system.
NOTE: This presentation is in Italian, those who are interested can use Google translator.
SUPERVISION WITH HEART:
Harnessing the Transformative Power of Caring Science Research
January 25, 2025 | 9:30 AM Hawaii
Moderator: Dr. Joseph Giovannoni, HAPN Caring Science Committee
Presented by: Charlene Downing, Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing
Faculty of Health Sciences University of Johannesburg, South Africa
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The Practice of Being Present — Jan M. Anderson, EdD, MSN, RN, AHN-BC
June 15, 2024 | 9:30AM HT
FREE | CLICK TO JOIN
Evidence Informed Compassionate Approach
Holding Sex Abusers Accountable & Responsible
Dr. Joseph Giovannoni, DNP, APRN-Rx
Caring Science and the Art of Flourishing
Christine Griffin, PhD, RN, NPD-BC
The Spiritual Imperative in Nursing: Advancing Competency Perspectives
Jacquline Whelan, MSc, MA
Sustaining the Humanization of Nursing
Present and Future
Sylvain Brousseau RN, FFNMRCSI
Embodying Unitary Caring Science in Managing Cancer
Dr. Joseph Giovannoni
Engaging Heart-Mind-Hands
The lived experience of a Caritas Nurse Leader
Creating a Caring, Healing Environment
Grissel Hernandez, PhD, MPH, RN, HNB-BC, NPD-BC, SGAHN, Caritas Coach®