The nurse-client relationship is perceived to be the foundation for successful home visiting programs. The purpose of this study was to examine how nurse-client interaction changes during home visits as relationships develop. The research design was naturalistic and used observational research methods along with audio-recordings in 30 home visits. Five nurse-client dyads participated in the study. Clients were women who received home visits from public health nurses during their pregnancy and early post-partum period. Relationships spanned from three to six months and clients received an average of six home visits. Findings indicated that four clients entered working relationships with nurses in which they identified problems, discussed possible solutions to problems and used the nurse as a resource in two to five home visits. One client allowed the nurse to provide home visits, but remained quiet and reserved and did not share her personal concerns with the nurse. Relationship shifts were observed in two dyads in the fourth and fifth home visits when clients revealed sensitive information to the nurse. Three clients had overwhelming social problems and accompanying anxiety that often diverted their attention from their pregnancies and at times left the nurses frustrated because they were unable to provide health teaching and pregnancy support. Implications for public health nursing practice include the need to provide multiple contacts for multi-problem families and teaching nurses communication skills fostering the relationship.
Learning Objectives: Participants will: 1. State four indicators of client openness to developing relationships with public health nurses. 2. Describe characteristics of working relationships. 3. Identify five strategies for fostering relationship development.
Keywords: Home Visiting, Communication
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.