”Jeg er venn fra 8 – 16” : vennskap i sykepleie - pasient relasjoner som varer over lang tid?

Abstract

This developmental project outlines reflections regarding the therapeutic potentials of the dimension of friendship in extended nurse-client relationships. Four nurses were interviewed about the milieu on a psychiatric centre; the patients were later interviewed about their experiences of the same milieu. All the nurses emphasized the importance of making the centre a safe place to be in. This included meeting the clients with respect and accepting them as they were. This was later confirmed in the interviews of the patient. The nurses also described themselves as «being a professional friend». They described the dimensions of friendships as involvement and devotion, but were aware of the limitations and the risk of overinvolvement. The way in which this may help the patient to go on living, and be able to form friendships, will be discussed in this article.