The patient-nurse relationship is a foundational and supportive human connection that serves as the cornerstone of nursing practice. It is cultivated through ongoing interactions between patients and nursing professionals.

Hildegard E. Peplau describes the patient-nurse relationship as a dynamic interaction between two individuals who perceive each other as equals with unique differences. According to Peplau, when mutual understanding and respect are established, nursing transforms into an educational and therapeutic process. She identifies four distinct phases in this relationship: “orientation,” “identification,” “exploitation,” and “resolution.” Furthermore, Joyce Travelbee emphasizes the significance of viewing the patient-nurse relationship as a human-to-human connection rather than succumbing to stereotyping. Travelbee introduces phases in the relationship-building process, progressing from the “original encounter phase,” characterized by mutual stereotyping, to the “identity emergence phase,” “empathy phase,” and ultimately the “sympathy phase.” This progression reflects a deepening understanding and connection between the patient and nurse, ultimately leading to enhanced trust and a more humanized relationship.

Effectively establishing a patient-nurse relationship requires nurses to possess a genuine desire to comprehend the individual under their care. This involves expressing interest, demonstrating respect for the patient’s uniqueness, and leveraging nursing expertise and skills collaboratively. By fostering a relationship based on mutual respect, nurses can align roles and goals, working together towards the shared objective of addressing health challenges.

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