Trust: an essential component of nursing practice--implications for nurse education

This paper offers a philosophical analysis of trust and its influence upon nursing practice. The paper begins by examining the meaning of trust, its influence upon health care and upon patients ability to place their trust in health care professionals. Influences upon individuals' capacity for trust are considered, and expectations within relationships are examined. Particular attention is given to that which patients entrust to their nurse, and to expectations where social or contractual trust exists. Obstacles to trust within health care are also considered. The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting is shown to be an example of institutional distrust, rather than a statement about the trustworthiness of nurses. Nurse education is one potential influence upon the formation of trust and distrust relationships within health care. Suggestion is therefore made as to how nurse education might seek to overcome distrust and promote trust between all those who are involved in health care.