Mary Molewyk Doornbos (PhD, RN) presented a paper entitled “Nurse-Client Relationships in Nursing Practice: Image Bearers in Reciprocal Relationships” at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Kosin University School of Nursing on September 22, 2008. Kosin University is located in Busan, South Korea.
The abstract of Dr. Doornbos’ paper follows:
The practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing presents a variety of challenges within the nurse-client relationship. Psychiatric disorders affect the most central aspects of a person's individuality and personality and thus are both frightening and overwhelming. This presentation investigates how the notion of the image of God in the other can serve to ground the nurses' response to clients with psychiatric disorders, assist them to see and respect strengths in the midst of dysfunction, and recognize ways in which the nurse-client relationship is characterized by reciprocity. This practice area offers specific opportunities for caring and provides multiple reasons of the mind and heart that prompt nurses to enter this area of nursing and sustain them in this practice.
