PHASES OF NURSE-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP:

Kapoor, Bimla (1994) has listed four phases of  nurse patient relationship which are explained below while describing the phases she has discussed the tasks of each phase and  the difficulties encountered  by  the nurse and how  to overcome the difficulties. 

Pre-interaction Phase 

Pre-interaction  phase begins when a nurse is assigned  to a patient with mental disorder till the time she goes  to the patient first  time. The period  is known as pre-interactions phase. During this phase the nurse may avoid going  to the patient because of herhis anxiety. She may pace in the duty room or do the other work and avoid going to the patient. Or she may plan how  she  is going to interact with the patient and provide care after going through the case  sheet/ patients records. 

Tasks  of Pre-interaction Phase 

There are various tasks which a nurse performs during pre-interaction phase. These tasks are explained in the following textual matter. The nurse explores her fears and anxiety by finding out why  she  is not able to go to the patient. Could one of  the reasons be  that she is scared to go  to the patient alone?  If  so, she can talk  to one of  the experienced nurses or  teachers  to help her out with this difficulty. This, however cannot continue for very long.