The nurse client relationship is said to be a helping or therapeutic relationship in which the main focus is to enhance the health and wellbeing of the patient. As stated by Harris,Nagy and Vardaxis (as cited in Mosby’s Dictionary,2008) “A nurse-client relationship can be defined as a therapeutic relationship between a nurse and client built on a series of interactions and developing over time” The relationship is different from a social relationship in the way that it is only focused on the needs of the client/patient.The relationship is goal oriented and has 3 phases which correspond to those of Hildegard E.Peplau which are The Orientation Phase,Working Phase and The Termination Phase.
When discussing an effective nurse-client relationship many factors are incorprated in the establishment of this relationship among these factors are positve regard,trust and interpersonal skills.
“People will forget what you say to them.They will never forget how you made them feel” This direct quote from Maya Angelou backs up the thesis that in order to establish an effective nurse-client relationship as a nurse you must display effective interpersonal skills.Interpersonal skills are vital life skills and when used by nurses help display an ability to communicate and interact successfully with patients/clients.
In facilitating a nurse client relationship there is a variety of different concepts we must consider and apply in order for the nurse-client relationship to be a ‘helping’ and
Every nurse-client relationship can be plotted on the continuum of professional behaviour Adapted from: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (2004)
Not all patients are capable of independently identifying and articulate their care needs, so the nurse also adapts the role as an advocate. Clarity and continuity in a trusting environment enables good communication. Progressive identification of needs takes place as nurse and patient communicate with one another in the interpersonal relationship (Peplau 1988, p. 84). Being considerate to the needs and vulnerability of patients is a moral attribute, as nurses are accountable for the care they deliver.
There are many ways of forming a relationship and gaining the trust and respect of the patient and I had to work out the different things that make a good therapeutic relationship. According to Hinchliff et al (2003) there are a number of important elements that make a good therapeutic relationship, but it is important to make clear that a therapeutic relationship is a formal relationship between a medical professional and patient. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) maintains that at all times nursing staff must maintain appropriate professional boundaries in the relationships they have with patients and clients.
The framework for creating a therapeutic relationship is built on the nurse’s ability to show empathy towards the client. Empathy is being able to put oneself in the patient’s shoes, to feel the same things they feel
Effective nursing practice is in need of on an effective therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the client. This instruction addresses the qualities and capacities of an effective therapeutic relationship, the state of knowledge, and the information needed to be effective. To implement a therapeutic relationship effectively, hospitals characteristics must be supportive. The therapeutic relationship is also known as the helping alliance and it refers to the bond between a healthcare professional and a client. It is the means of professional hopes to involve with, so as to change the outcome result of the client. This relationship is significant to the client’s orientation
This theory describes the different phases that a nurse-client relationship goes through. The phases that my patient and I will most likely be working in are the orientation and the identification phases because our relationship will be new. Our interaction will focus on building a mutual trust and understanding, as well as answer basic questions as to why my patient is here and things that she has been struggling with. Depending on how long my patient has been in the program, she may be open to exploring more of her feelings and sharing more about herself with me. Focusing on developing a good nurse-client relationship will help me during my interaction with my patient and will help me understand her needs better.
Nurse and patient relationships are referred to therapeutic relationships, they are a person-centred approach to care (Berman Et al 2012). For a therapeutic relationship to be effective in meeting the client/patient goals the nurse needs to ‘earn the person’s trust and respect.’ Berman Et al (2012) suggests that the trust and respect of a patient can be earned through ‘sound nursing knowledge and use of effective communication.’ This is reflected in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s competency standards. These national standards that are regulated and followed by all nurses, they are updated regularly to remain contemporary and
One of the expected outcomes by the application of this theory would be “linking client-nurse interactive phenomena with client outcomes” (Byrd, 2006, p. 271). During this research Dr
Acute psychiatric inpatient nursing is primarily focused on the assessment and treatment of patients admitted in times of crisis. To effectively assess a patients needs a nurse requires an overview of the patient’s interactions with their external & internal environment. Fundamental to this been successful is the nurse patient relationship, forming a trusting relationship and maintaining this throughout the patient’s care. The nurse’s ability to listen, talk and understand are identified as key to positive patient experiences of feeling supported and cared for (Gilburt et al 2008).
As a nurse, communication is an essential and important factor to building a therapeutic relationship between a nurse and patient as it is the difference between average and excellent nursing care, as it helps maintain a good quality of life and allows nurses’ and patients to interact and provide comfort when needed. The importance of good communication can become apparent with patients especially when they are in the hospital, as it helps the nurses build a positive relationship with patients and helps overcome barriers including physical, psychological and social. A therapeutic relationship is built on many factors which include both verbal and non-verbal communication which helps maintains the relationship and strengthens it due to the positive impact it has not only on the patient’s experience but also the nurse’s.
A nurse-patient relationship is the basic requirements in all practice settings. Its usage is to manage communication between an organization and a public while maintaining boundaries in the therapeutic relationship. Based on Peplau’s interpersonal theory, communication takes place in a nurse-client relationship where therapeutic process occurs involving complex factors such as environment, attitudes, practices, and beliefs in the dominant culture (seu.edu, 2015). The actions of each person in a nurse-patient relationship is measured on the collaboration of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Nurse’s work to attain, maintain, and restore the patient’s health until patient have fulfilled the health care needs. Patient must be guided and provided a well-respected environment until a better health and specific needs are fully considered in the relationship. In this kind of setting, nurse’s must create relationship with patients by communicating receptivity, assimilating the concepts of empathy, trust, genuineness, respect, and confidentiality into their interactions.
The therapeutic nurse-patient relationship is known as a close and consistent connection approaching during patients’
As first year nursing students, we have been introduced to concepts that are fundamental to our professional development as future nurses, such as interpersonal understanding, and interpersonal communication. In fact, understanding the importance of interpersonal communication during different stages of the therapeutic relationship between a nurse and a client is one of our main learning objectives. As a result, we have been assigned to perform a standardized patient scenario interview with an actor in order to demonstrate our communication skills through three different stages of the therapeutic relationship: the interaction phase, the working phase, and the resolution phase. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze my own performance during the interview process, and identify my areas for growth and my areas of strength in the communication techniques.
Arnold E (1999). Interpersonal Relationships: Professional Communication Skills for Nursing. 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company.
Establish rapport and have a pleasant student nurse-client working relationship with our client, Sir Xxx Client x, and his significant others so that the group can gain their trust and can obtain pertinent information from them;