[0:01]The purpose of this video is to briefly outline the importance and components of therapeutic relationships in nursing.
[0:10]A therapeutic relationship is an essential part of nursing. It is the foundation for nursing practice. Without a relationship, you cannot find out important information about clients. Without this information, care will be ineffective. Therapeutic relationships have been linked to better client outcomes. When a therapeutic relationship is established, clients experience increased empowerment, which results in adherence and improved healing, among many other benefits.
[0:41]A therapeutic relationship can be difficult to define. It is important for nurses to know what a therapeutic relationship is and how to establish it, since it is so crucial to quality client care. The therapeutic relationship can be viewed from the perspective of the profession, client, and nurse. In this two-part video, a very brief overview of these perspectives will be provided.
[1:04]From the perspective of the profession, a therapeutic relationship is an expectation of nurses. Governing bodies have standards that outline the minimum requirement for nurses within this relationship. For example, the College of Nurses of Ontario indicates that regardless of where a nurse works, these concepts must be present in nurse client relationships. Trust and respect must be established and maintained with clients. Empathy, balanced with emotional distance must be expressed. Nurses must also pay attention to unequal power and professional intimacy within these relationships in order to meet client needs.
[1:46]Within the College of Nurses of Ontario's document, several indicators of statements are outlined to help nurses meet the standards of practice. The College of Nurses of Ontario expects nurses to use communication and interpersonal skills to manage therapeutic relationships.
[2:04]It is expected that nurses work with clients to meet the client's needs. While doing so, it is important to note that an essential component of a therapeutic relationship is establishing and maintaining the boundaries. It is the nurse's responsibility to ensure boundaries are maintained. Gift giving and receiving is an issue that nurses must be particularly aware of. Nurses must also prevent, stop, and report abuse of clients.
[2:30]Further clarity within this practice standard is provided through more detailed indicators and tools such as a decision tree to guide nurses in their decision making. Practice guidelines are available free on the College of Nurses of Ontario's website. As a nurse, it is important to familiarize yourself with the practice standards of the governing body in your area. In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the profession, nurses should also strive for excellence. For example, this Registered Nurses Association of Ontario's best practice guideline is designed to support evidence-based practice and should be evaluated and applied, well appreciating the context specific needs of clients. Recommendations are made within this document for practice, education, organizations, and policies. For the purpose of this video, only a few of the elements within this document will be explored. The full document is available for free on the RNAO's website.
[3:33]Like the College of Nurses of Ontario, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario supports the importance of the therapeutic relationship. They define it as an interpersonal process that occurs between the nurse and the clients. It is a purposeful, goal directed relationship that is directed at advancing the best interest and outcome of the client.
[3:59]On page 17, a framework for the therapeutic relationship is provided. In order to engage in a therapeutic relationship, nurses require knowledge from education, readings, experience, theory, and context specific factors among other things. The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario indicates that reflective practice is a prerequisite for a therapeutic relationship. In order to establish a therapeutic relationship, it is important to know and be aware of oneself, demonstrate empathy, and be aware of boundaries. Recognizing the dynamic phases within the therapeutic relationship helps the nurse understand the process and meet client needs. Critical components of the therapeutic relationship identified by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario include listening, trust, respect, genuineness, empathy, and responding to client concerns. These components are supported by literature from the perspective of the client and nurse, which will be explored in part two of this video. Please see the link below for the second part of this video. Thank you for watching.
