Professionalism is very important for all nurse in Aotearoa New Zealand. It means following the rules ad standards from the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). In this essay, I will talk about a scenario with two student nurses, Aroha and Jane. They are learning how to give a bed wash to a patient named Mrs. Williams. I will explain the difference between social and therapeutic relationships. I will also use the AI2DET framework and the NCNZ Standards of competence (2025) to show how they can give safe professional care. Finally, I will discuss the code of conduct and professional boundaries to show how nurses must behave
(Social. Personal. And therapeutic relationships)
Is it important for nurse to know the difference between relationships. A social or personal relationship is what we have with friends and family, in this relationship, both people talk about their lives and is it fun or support. There are no professional rules.
However, a therapeutic relational is difference It is only about the patients, heath and needs, (NCNZ, 2012b). the nurse has the power because they have knowledge, so they must be careful. This relationship is professional and has a goal. For example, Aroha and Jane must focus only on Mrs. Williams recovery and comfort, not on their own personal lives. Trust and respect are the most important parts of this professional bond.
Phases of professional relationship and AI2DET
A professional relationship has four parts. First is pre-orientation. This is when Aroha and Jane prepare the soap, towels, and water before they see the patient. Second is orientation. This is where they use the AI2DET framework. They Acknowledge Mrs. Willams and identify themselves as students. They tell her the Duration (how long the wash will take) and explain the procedure to get her consent. This is very important because the patient must agree to be touched.
The third part is the working phase. This is when they actually give the bed wash. They must check if Mrs. Williams has pain in her leg. The last part is termination. They thank Mrs. Williams and check if she needs anything else before they leave the room. Linking AI2DET t theses phases helps the nurse stay organized and keeps the patient feeling safe.
Building a Therapeutic Relationship with NCNZ 2025 pou
To build a good relationship, Aroha and Jane must follow the NCNZ (2025) standards.
First, they must use Pou two (2.1) about Cultural Safety. This means Mrs. Williams decides if the care is culturally safe for her. The students must respect her values and identity. Second, they use Pou three (3.3) for Whanaungatanga and communications. They need to talk in a way that is professional and easy to understand. They should listen to her concerns about her leg pain.
Third, they apply Pau five (5.4) for Manaaki Anaga and people-centered care. This means they show kindness and respect. By being kind during the bed wash, they build a therapeutic relationship where Mrs. Williams feels cared for as a person, not just a patient.
Professional Boundaries
Professional boundaries are the lines that nurse must not cross. If a nurse gets too close or too far from a patient, it is a problem.
One example of over-involvement is if Aroha start telling Mrs. Williams about her financial problems or asks Mrs. Williams for loan. This is wrong because it uses the patient for the nurse’s benefit.
One example of under-involvement is if Jane performs the bed wash but does not talk to Mrs. William at all. If she ignores the patient’s pain or treats her like an object, that is neglect. Nurses must stay in the zone of helpfulness to keep the patient safe (NCNZ,2012b).
NCNZ code of conduct (2012)
The code of conduct 2012a has principles that help nurse make good decisions. For this scenario, Principle 1 is very relevant because it says nurses must respect the dignity of the patient. During a bed wash, the student must keep Mrs. William covered so she does not feel embarrassed.
Principle 4 is also important. It says nurse must maintain trust. By asking about her leg pain and being gentle, Aroha and Jane show they are competent. Principle 7 is about working together. Since Aroha and Jane are working in a pair, they must communicate well with each other to make sure Mrs., Williams is safe and does not fall.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being a professional nurse in Aotearoa New Zealand means more than just having clinical skills. Aroha and Jane must use the NCNZ (2025) Pau to provide culturally safe and people-centered care, using frameworks like AI2DET helps them communicate clearly during the different phases of care. By following the code of conduct and keeping professional boundaries, they protect the trust between the nurse and the patient. This ensures that Mrs., Williams receives the best care possible while she recovers from her surgery. (Placeholder1)