What does the nurse need to reflect upon during the pre-interaction phase?

During the pre-interaction phase, the nurse must reflect on their own biases and feelings because self-awareness is crucial for establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. Understanding personal biases helps the nurse interact more effectively without allowing preconceived notions to cloud judgment or affect care delivery. This self-reflection can enhance empathy, promote active listening, and improve the overall quality of care provided to the patient, ensuring that the nurse approaches the interaction with an open mind and heart.

On the other hand, focusing solely on patient history, care plan outlines, or treatment modalities occurs later in the nursing process. These aspects are important but they come into play during the assessment phase or planning phase, rather than during the initial pre-interaction phase where personal reflection is critical for fostering a productive and supportive therapeutic relationship.