Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Responding to Difficulties in the Relationship

  • The nurse and the client need to be able to respond to concerns at any phase in the relationship
  • Boundaries are maintained with the understanding that the purpose of the relationship is to meet the therapeutic needs of the client
  • If the relationship does not develop therapeutically, the nurse needs to seek information from the client and consultation from others
  • A change in the nurse-client relationship assignment may be necessary
Foundational
Establishing Therapeutic Relationship
Background Information