Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)
ESTABLISHMENT OF RAPPORT WITH THE CLIENT IN THE COMMUNITY
This is a process where the RCPN builds a therapeutic relationship with the client in the community. This makes the client feels respected, comfortable and cooperates with the nurse in disclosing his/her needs.
Purpose
- Develop mutual trust between client and nurse
- Reduce anxiety and promote recovery
- Maintain the dignity of client
- Promote effective communication throughout the nurse client relationship
Indications
- Building a therapeutic relationship with a client in the community.
- Helping the client feel respected, comfortable and willing to disclose his or her needs.
- Establishing trust at the start of any community mental health interaction.
Equipment
- Manual/electronic area register/records of the client
- Chairs
Preparation
- Ensure a safe and conducive environment for the interaction.
- Prepare chairs and the client's records before the interaction.
Procedure steps
- Ensure a safe and conducive environment for the interaction
- Sit near client and introduce yourself
- Find out client's name and title, and use it when addressing him/her
- Speak to client using simple and clear language that the client understands
- Establish eye contact with the patient during the interaction
- Explain to client what he/she could expect from you as a RCPN
- Encourage client to talk and express his/her feelings and listen actively
- Help client to think through his/her problems in a logical manner using therapeutic communication techniques e.g. restating, clarifying, paraphrasing, questioning, etc.
- Show consistency in approaching the client
- Demonstrate firmness in dealing with inappropriate requests and behaviours by the client if any
- Maintain a relaxed attitude when interacting with client to show that you have time for him
- Express appreciation to client and inform him about the next procedure or activity of the day
- Document the interaction and observations in the report book
Precautions
- Ensure a safe and conducive environment for the interaction.
- Use simple and clear language that the client understands.
- Establish eye contact and show consistency and firmness in an appropriate manner.
- Maintain the dignity of the client and respect confidentiality.
Aftercare
- Express appreciation to the client and inform him or her about the next procedure or activity of the day.
- Document the interaction and observations in the report book.
Nursing considerations
- Sit near the client and use the client's name and title when addressing him or her.
- Listen actively and maintain a relaxed attitude to show that there is time for the client.
- Demonstrate firmness when dealing with inappropriate requests or behaviours.
Patient education
- Explain to the client what he or she could expect from the nurse.
- Help the client think through problems logically using therapeutic communication techniques.
Documentation
- Document the interaction and observations in the report book.
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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