THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION IN NURSING
DOSSIER
DU FRANÇAIS À L’ANGLAIS
professeur d’anglais aux écoles d’ergothérapie de Nancy et Mulhouse
A senior nurse (SN) is explaining to a trainee nurse (TN), who’s carrying out her first internship, the importance of therapeutic communication in a correctional setting.
SN : First, you should know how to deal with inmates, which leads us to what we might refer to as the therapeutic communication.
TN : I feel ill-at-ease at the idea of dealing with prisoners.
SN : Well, being a professional nurse in correctional nursing practice includes being familiar with nurse-patient relationship, and also with the need for safety.
TN : What do you mean by that?
SN : Here we refer to effective communication, which is a gold-standard for the nursing practice in a carceral environment. Communication strategies should be grounded in empathy, respect, and active listening, but also authenticity and trust, which are essential.
TN : But, still I’m a bit usure about this notion of “effective” communication with prisoners. What does that consist in?
SN : Therapeutic communication involves a face-to-face interaction designed to enhance a patient’s overall well-being. Nurses utilize therapeutic communication skills to provide information and support to patients while maintaining neutrality and professionalism.
TN : Ok. What kind of strategies can we use to engage in therapeutic communication with an inmate patient?
SN : A range of techniques,...