Patient-nurse relationships: using reflective practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Effective patient-nurse relationships are crucial for quality healthcare delivery.
• Challenges in patient-nurse interactions can impact professional practice and job satisfaction.
• Reflective practice is a key component of professional development for nurses.

Observation:

• A district nurse encountered a tense relationship with a patient.
• The nurse utilized a reflective journal to analyze her interactions and practice.
• Theoretical models of reflective practice guided the journaling process.

Findings:

• The reflective journaling process facilitated a critical evaluation of the nurse's practice.
• The nurse identified specific areas for improvement in managing difficult patient interactions.