This best practice guideline addresses the therapeutic relationship and its central importance to nursing practice. Effective nursing practice is dependent on an effective therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the client. This guideline addresses the qualities and capacities of an effective therapeutic relationship, the state of knowledge, and the knowledge needed to be effective in a therapeutic relationship.
This best practice guideline addresses the therapeutic relationship and its central importance to nursing practice. Effective nursing practice is dependent on an effective therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the client. This guideline addresses the qualities and capacities of an effective therapeutic relationship, the state of knowledge, and the knowledge needed to be effective in a therapeutic relationship.
As an introduction, we’ve provided summaries of the practice recommendations from the BPG document — but we strongly encourage downloading RNAO’s official PDF.
The nurse must acquire the necessary knowledge to participate effectively in therapeutic relationships.
Establishment of a therapeutic relationship requires reflective practice. This concept includes the required capacities of: self-awareness, self-knowledge, empathy, awareness of boundaries and limits of the professional role.
The nurse needs to understand the process of a therapeutic relationship and be able to recognize the current phase of his/her relationship with the client.
