The Importance of the Nurse-Patient Relationship in Children's Nursing

The nurse-patient relationship has always been considered to be an essential aspect of the nursing profession, which has an impact on the wellbeing of both sides. The nurse-patient relationship has a unique purpose and is extremely complex and often difficult to understand from an outside perspective. The role played by the nurse is pivotal in patient care, as establishing a good relationship can be vital in helping the patient make clinical and psychological process. In the discussion that follows, I will explore the nature and relevance of the nurse-patient relationship and evidence why that it is fundamental in nursing as supporting the well-being of the patient, promoting recovery. Following on from this, I will reflect on my own experience of the nurse-patient relationship applying the knowledge I have acquired and consider how this affects my own personal and professional development.

As stated the nurse is a pivotal figure in patient care, therefore it is important to understand the nature and relevance of the nurse-patient relationship. Chiu and Mok (2004) suggest that nurses who develop trusting relationships demonstrate a holistic approach to caring; they are reliable, proficient, competent and dedicated in their care. This holistic nature of working is achieved through the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code of Professional Conduct (2002); they believe that nurses are responsible for developing appropriate relationships and safeguarding the interests of their patients as this allows the patient to be supported and protected in a trusting and secure atmosphere. The NMC code of conduct consists of six main principles; trust, respecting individuality, collaboration, consent, confidently and boundaries; each being fundamental for forming an effective nurse-patient relationship.

Trust is an essential principle in the development of the nurse-patient relationship; this is because the balance of the power lies with the nurse and this makes the patients

References: Burnard, P. (2002) Learning Human Skills. 4th edition. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Castledine, G. (2004) ‘The importance of the nurse-patient relationship.’ The British Journal of Nursing. 13(4), p.231. Castledine, G. (2005) ‘Nurses must strengthen the nurse-patient relationship’. The British Journal of Nursing. 14(1), p.55. Chiu, P. and Mok, E. (2004) ‘Nurse-patient relationships in palliative care’. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 48(5), p.475-483. Egan, G. (2002) The Skilled Helper: A problem management and opportunity approach to helping. CA: Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove. Fullbrook, S. (2007) ‘Regulatory codes of conduct and the common law. Part 2: confidentiality’. The British Journal of Nursing. 16(15), p.946. Ghaye, T. and Lillyman, S. (2000) Reflection: Principles and practice for healthcare professionals. Dinton: Quay Books/Mark Allen. Jarvis, P. (2004) Learning in Groups. 3rd edition.London: Kogan Page. McQueen, A NMC. (2002) Code of Professional Conduct. London: NMC. Pembrey, S Peplau, H. (1988) Interpersonal Relations in Nursing. London: Macmillan Raeve, L