Interpersonal constructs for nursing practice

It was suggested that nurse teachers have a large responsibility in helping students to examine various theoretical constructs, learn and apply them in nursing practice, and to develop the necessary intellectual and interpersonal competencies for constructive psychiatric nursing practice.

Abstract

This paper was presented at a seminar on the role of psychiatric nurses in interpersonal relationships, given at Highland College of Nursing and Midwifery, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. Selected interpersonal constructs were examined; such theoretical concepts, when applied by nurses in practice situations, provide explanations of observations nurses make and serve also to guide actions which nurses choose, to facilitate a helping nurse-client relationship. Finally, it was suggested that nurse teachers have a large responsibility in helping students to examine various theoretical constructs, learn and apply them in nursing practice, and to develop the necessary intellectual and interpersonal competencies for constructive psychiatric nursing practice.