As stated the nurse is a pivotal figure in patient care, therefore it is important to understand the nature and relevance of the nurse-patient relationship. Chiu and Mok (2004) suggest that nurses who develop trusting relationships demonstrate a holistic approach to caring; they are reliable, proficient, competent and dedicated in their care. This holistic nature of working is achieved through the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code of Professional Conduct (2002); they believe that nurses are responsible for developing appropriate relationships and safeguarding the interests of their patients as this allows the patient to be supported and protected in a trusting and secure atmosphere. The NMC code of conduct consists of six main principles; trust, respecting individuality, collaboration, consent, confidently and boundaries; each being fundamental for forming an effective nurse-patient relationship.
Trust is an essential principle in the development of the nurse-patient relationship; this is because the balance of the power lies with the nurse and this makes the patients
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