Nurse patient relationships are very important and must be given due time for analysis and improvement. The reason for this importance pertains to the fact that inappropriate factors arising can affect both patient and nurse negatively. As we go on, we shall highlight a few of the most prominent factors that affect the foundation of the nurse patient relationship. In the distinction of a nurse patient relationship, power is not distributed equally. This is because patients are in many ways dependant on the nurse and the care she devotes to him/her.
The patient requires assistance, care and attention, while the nurse has the upper hand by possessing the skill and knowledge of how to assist the patient in whatever way possible. However, even though the nurse holds the superior position and the ball of authority lies in her court, according to the professional code of conduct, the nurse is obligated to devote care acceptable to the patient. However, every nurse displays unique ways of care and authority, but all ways must correspond to the patient’s requirements for comfort and assistance. The welfare of the patient is paramount and the nurse’s only priority.
But authority camouflaged by friendly partnership gains the patient’s approval and makes for an easier solution to the task at hand. The relationship of nurse and patient transforms into a partnership of sorts working toward a mutual goal that for the patient, is to get better, and for the nurse, patient assistance moving toward the oath of comfort and recovery. In such a relationship trust is of the utmost importance, this is due to the fact that when a person enters a hospice situation, he submits himself completely to the care of the individuals present there.
Whenever a person’s health is somewhat compromised, he is in a weakened state both mentally and physically, completely vulnerable in all aspects, therefore it is only on the assumption that the nurse is extremely skillful, possesses knowledge and power to care for the patient, that a patient succumbs to care at the hand of complete strangers in unfamiliar surroundings. Gaining trust is not easy as past events of patients being harmed and other assorted news, places an obstacle in the path of complete trust on the patients part.
However, it must be accepted and delved forward cautiously. Then comes the subject of confidentiality which is a close correspondent to trust, if a patient trust the nurse only then will he confide in the nurse and present information that without his permission the nurse is highly obligated to withhold only unless genuine circumstances that in any case threaten patient welfare, it is only then that a nurse can breach confidential limitations.
If confidences are kept confidential this will help the relationship to blossom positively and will prevent the patient from suffering undue stress. Respecting the wishes of the patient, ensures a safe and easy relationship further down the line, however the nurse even though respecting the wishes and decisions of her patient is not obliged or obligated in any way to support the patient in any illegal or unlawful means for e. g. assisted suicide, if the patient is incurably injured or terminally ill, simply a victim of manic depression, a nurse is in no way liable to support illegitimate decisions or assist in a anyway.
Secondly a nurse must respect the patient as an individual regardless of any difference in cast, creed, gender, culture etc. A nurse must care for the patient enlisted to her, as the patient’s welfare is her responsibility regardless of the color of his skin or his beliefs