Collaborative & Therapeutic Practice

Establishes therapeutic relationships that are goal directed and recognises professional boundaries:

• demonstrates empathy, trust and respect for the dignity and potential of the individual/group
• interacts with individuals/groups in a supportive manner
• effectively initiates, maintains and concludes interpersonal interactions
• establishes rapport with individuals/groups that enhances their ability to express feelings, and fosters an appropriate context for expression of feeling
• understands the potential benefits of partnership approaches on nurse individual/group relationships, and
• demonstrates an understanding of standards and practices of professional boundaries and therapeutic relationships.

Communicates effectively with individuals/groups to facilitate provision of care:

• uses a range of effective communication techniques
• uses language appropriate to the context
• uses written and spoken communication skills appropriate to the needs of individuals/groups
• uses an interpreter where appropriate
• provides adequate time for discussion
• establishes, where possible, alternative
• communication methods for individuals/groups who are unable to verbalise, and
• uses open/closed questions appropriately.

Uses appropriate strategies to promote an individual’s group’s self-esteem, dignity, integrity and comfort:

• identifies and uses strategies which encourage independence
• identifies and uses strategies which affirm individuality
• uses strategies which involve the family/significant others in care
• identifies and recommends appropriate support networks to individuals/groups
• identifies situations which may threaten the dignity/integrity of an individual/group
•  implements measures to maintain dignity of individuals/groups during periods of self-care deficit
• implements measures to support individuals/groups experiencing emotional distress, and
• information is provided to individuals/groups to enhance their control over their own health care.

Assists and supports individual/group to make informed health care decisions:

• facilitates and encourages individual/group decision-making
• maintains and supports respect for an individual/group’s decision through communication with other members of the interdisciplinary health care team, and
• arranges consultation to support individuals/groups to make informed decisions regarding health care

Facilitates a physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual environment that promotes individual/group safety and security:

• demonstrates sensitivity, awareness and respect for cultural identity as part of an individual’s/group’s perceptions of security
• demonstrates sensitivity, awareness and respect in regard to an individual’s/group’s spiritual needs involves family and others in ensuring that cultural and spiritual needs are met
• identifies, eliminates or prevents environmental hazards where possible
• applies relevant principles to ensure the safe administration of therapeutic substances
• maintains standards for infection control
• applies ergonomic principles to prevent injury to individual/group and self
• prioritises safety problems
• adheres to occupational health and safety legislation
• modifies environmental factors to meet an individual/group’s comfort needs where possible
• promotes individual/group comfort throughout interventions, and
• uses ergonomic principles and appropriate aids to promote the individual/group’s comfort

• recognises the impact and role of population, primary health and partnership health care models
• recognises when to negotiate with, or refer to, other health care or service providers
• establishes positive and productive working relationships with colleagues, and recognises and understands the separate and interdependent roles and functions of health care team members.

• explains the nursing role to the interdisciplinary team and service providers
• maintains confidentiality in discussions about an individual/group’s needs and progress
• discusses individual/group care requirements with relevant members of the health care team
• collaborates with members of the health care team in decision making about care of individuals/groups
• demonstrates skills in written, verbal and electronic communication, and documents, as soon possible, forms of communication, nursing interventions and individual/group responses

• adopts and implements a collaborative approach to practice
• participates in health care team activities
• demonstrates the necessary communication skills to manage avoidance, confusion and confrontation
• demonstrates the necessary communication skills to enable negotiation
• demonstrates an understanding of how collaboration has an impact on the safe and effective provision of comprehensive care
• establishes and maintains effective and collaborative working relationships with other members of the health care team
• consults with relevant health care professionals and service providers to facilitate continuity of care
• recognises the contribution of, and liaises with, relevant community and support services
• records information systematically in an accessible and retrievable form
• ensures that written communication is comprehensive, logical, legible, clear and concise, spelling is accurate and only acceptable abbreviations are used, and
• establishes and maintains documentation according to organisational guidelines and procedures.

• regularly consults policies and guidelines
• demonstrates awareness of changes to policies and guidelines
• attends meetings and participates in practice reviews and audits, and
• demonstrates understanding of the implications of national health strategies for nursing and healthcare practice.