Promotion of comprehensive care to the psychiatric aftercare client

Nurse--client relationships: the experience of community psychiatric nurses

The aim of the present study was to construct an interpretation of the experience of the nurse--client relationship in the context of community psychiatric nursing. Hermeneutic phenomenology formed the framework of the study. Shared conversations were conducted with five experienced community psychiatric nurses and five clients. Themes of 'Being there', 'Being concerned', 'Establishing trust' and 'Facilitating transition' were identified from the nurses' conversations. This thematic structure was used to illuminate the centrality of the nurse--client relationship, and to articulate the skills that are involved in establishing and maintaining the relationship with clients with mental illness.