Nursing Theorist, Hildegard Peplau Knew That In Order To

Many individuals enter the healthcare profession because they want to help others achieve their greatest overall health and well-being. This may include achieving the fullness of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. As a nurse or nursing student, one needs to have effective communication skills to help their clients. Even though nursing has a wide variety of different categories to work in, effective communication is essential for the profession. In addition, when working in a clinical setting, the relationship a nurse establishes with their clients is important. One significant nursing theorist who utilized the importance of relationships, especially the interpersonal processes and therapeutic relationship that develops between the nurse and client was, Hildegard Peplau (Forchuk, 1993). Throughout this paper, I will introduce and describe Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations, explain what this theory means to me as a nursing student, and how I can apply it into my future practice.

Communication is one of the basic survival skills of human and also a fundamental part of nursing. Effective communication would help to promote a positive nurse-client relationship which is crucial for the delivery of quality nursing care (Sheppard, 1993; McCabe 2003).

Peplau defines nursing as the therapeutic interpersonal, serial, goal- oriented process. A health-focused human relationship( Meleis, p 165, 2012)

Peplau’s theory was developed in 1952. Self-awareness, personal identity, and individuality were established as dominant, guiding concepts for nursing (D'Antonio et al., 2014). This theory explains the interpersonal process that occurs when a patient and a nurse come together to resolve health-related issue (Fawsett &Desanto-Madeya, 2013). This theory applies personality theory to problems that arise medically (Deane & Fain, 2013). In addition, they are three phases on Peplau’s theory. The first phase is the orientation phase, which is where a practitioner first meets the patient to gather the health history, does assessments, and collects essential information about the patient. The second phase is the working phase, which involves developing the provider and patient relationship. The focus of this stage is the patient’s reaction to

In nursing practice, communication is essential, and good communication skills are paramount in the development of a therapeutic nurse/patient relationship. This aim of this essay is to discuss the importance of communication in nursing, demonstrating how effective communication facilitates a therapeutic

Hildegard Peplau’s middle-range theory, Interpersonal Relations, established in 1948 and highlighted the nurse-patient relationship as the groundwork of nursing practice. Peplau supports each role individually, the nurse and the patient, by ensuring that equal participation is implemented to reach a mutual goal. For example, the role of the patient reflects vulnerability and the expectation to be open to the health care providers throughout care and treatment plan. Subsequently, the nurse is supposed to facilitate a reciprocated relationship by noting the client’s behavior, defining the client’s illness, creating the most proper care for the client, understanding the physician’s treatment plan and confirming it, and intervening when required (Sue Penckofer, 2013).

McCabe C. (2004) Nurse-patient communication: an exploration of patients’ experiences. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 13, 41-49.

The interpersonal theory of nursing by Peplau was examined in accordance with Chinn and Kramer (2011). The purpose of the theory was described to improve the

The building of a positive relationship is described as showing warmth, respect and empathy however to provide effective communication between nurse and patient the nurse needs to be aware of and identify the patient’s physical, social and psychological barriers. A nurse can use these tools to build trust, mutual respect and confidence with the patient as these are needed for

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’

Arnold E (1999). Interpersonal Relationships: Professional Communication Skills for Nursing. 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company.

In nursing, effective communication plays a key role in patient-focused communication between health professionals and patients. This is because nursing is essentially an interaction between health professionals and patients where communications happens at all times. Nurses who communicate well are able to put patients at ease, which leads to patients sharing information regarding their feelings and experiences, which can help healthcare professionals improve their outcomes. Good communication also allows nurses to deliver care that is unique to each patient. Once a patient tells the nurse about his fears and symptoms, the nurse can record that information and work towards a diagnosis. Ultimately, to be a successful nurse, excellent communication skills are required. The ability to communicate and connect with patients and health care professionals can help build relationships, prevent mistakes and provide a higher level of care.

Within nursing, there is a very delicate balance between a nurse and her patient that must be maintained if the patient is to receive the care that he or she is entitled to receive. The patient must feel comfortable trusting his nurse to hear his needs and respond to them appropriately and in order for this to be the case, the nurse must first provide therapeutic communication effective enough to elicit such a response in her patient. There are both verbal and non-verbal components within the nurse-patient relationship. These components greatly influence how a nurse and patient will relate to each other and, ultimately, greatly influence the care that the patient receives.

Therapeutic Communication has a huge impact on patients, whether, we, as nurses, see it or not. It is very important for a nurse to gain a patient’s trust. Many patients are already filled with sadness, nervousness and unsure thoughts of their current situation. Such thoughts may make a person scared to trust or open up to a nurse or doctor. Developing a close rapport with a patient can help to create a safe, warming environment, resulting in a positive experience throughout their time in the hospital or even nursing home. In “Therapeutic Communication”, Anna Lauria opens saying, “What we say or do not say can influence whether a client is able to quiet his mind, relax his body and initiate a healing response” (Lauria). Being a nurse, we automatically have the opportunity to create a strong influence on patients’ lives during, and even after, their hospital experience.