School of Nursing - The Chang School - Ryerson University
School of Nursing - The Chang School - Ryerson University
School of Nursing - The Chang School - Ryerson University
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Relationships<br />
Each nurse establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
relationships.<br />
Relationships include therapeutic nurse-client relationships and pr<strong>of</strong>essional relationships with<br />
colleagues, health team members and employers.<br />
<strong>The</strong>rapeutic Nurse-Client Relationships<br />
<strong>The</strong> clients’ needs are the focus <strong>of</strong> the relationship, which is based on trust, respect, intimacy and the<br />
appropriate use <strong>of</strong> power. 7 Nurses demonstrate empathy and caring in all relationships with clients,<br />
families and significant others. It is the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the nurse to establish and maintain the therapeutic<br />
relationship.<br />
Indicators<br />
A nurse demonstrates the standard by:<br />
• practising according to the <strong>The</strong>rapeutic Nurse- Client Relationship practice standard;<br />
• demonstrating respect, empathy and interest for clients;<br />
• maintaining boundaries between pr<strong>of</strong>essional, therapeutic relationships and non-pr<strong>of</strong>essional,<br />
personal relationships;<br />
• ensuring clients’ needs remain the focus <strong>of</strong> the nurse-client relationship;<br />
• ensuring that her/his personal needs are met outside <strong>of</strong> the therapeutic nurse-client relationship;<br />
• developing collaborative partnerships with clients and families that respect their needs, wishes,<br />
knowledge, experience, values and beliefs;<br />
• recognizing that the potential for abuse <strong>of</strong> clients exists;<br />
• preventing abuse where possible; and<br />
• taking action to stop abuse and report it appropriately.<br />
In addition, a nurse in an administrator role demonstrates the standard by:<br />
• fostering an environment in which clients and nurses are safe from abuse;<br />
• supporting the therapeutic nurse-client relationship;<br />
• promoting a philosophy <strong>of</strong> client-centred care and collaborative relationships; and<br />
• advocating for systems <strong>of</strong> care that acknowledge and support nurses in developing and maintaining<br />
therapeutic relationships.<br />
7 Refer to the practice standard document <strong>The</strong>rapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship.<br />
A nurse in an educator role demonstrates the standard by:<br />
• role-modelling therapeutic nurse-client relationships; and<br />
• identifying and supporting education related to pr<strong>of</strong>essional and therapeutic relationships.<br />
A nurse in a researcher role demonstrates the standard by:<br />
• communicating knowledge <strong>of</strong> evidence-based, best-practice guidelines related to caring and<br />
therapeutic relationships.<br />
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