Exploring the therapeutic potential of friendliness and friendship in nurse-client relationships
Rene Geanellos
Lecturer (Mental Health Nursing), School of Nursing, Family & Community Health, University of Western Sydney, Parramatta NSW
PP: 235 - 245
Abstract
Friendliness and friendship, within the nurse-client relationship, are explored. Friendliness is superficial and includes nurses' smiling, joking, a warm tone of voice and interest in clients, while friendship is a deeper more affective involvement between client and nurse.
The therapeutic outcomes of friendliness and friendship are significant. When nurses are friendly, client feelings of dis-ease, strangeness and alienation are replaced by feelings of comfort, belonging and involvement. Friendship between nurse and client has similar outcomes but is a deeper experience that is simultaneously rewarding and sustaining for both.
The therapeutic potential of friendliness and friendship suggests: (1) focused research would assist nursings' understanding of these concepts, and (2) determine their implications to nurse education and practice.
Keywords
friendliness; friendship; nurse–client relationship; therapeutic outcomes
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