Problematizing Destructive Demands in Relationship-Based Nursing Care

The relationship between the nurse and the patient is fundamental in nursing care. However, numerous demands are associated with providing nursing care. Therefore, the chapter argues for the relevance of problematizing demands, which can be understood as destructive, evident in relationship-based nursing care. Empirical examples are used to illustrate demands expressed by registered nurses, along with an endeavour to comprehensively understand expressions of everyday nursing experiences in conjunction with the concept of destructive demand. For relationship-based nursing care, including destructive demands as this concept is described within phenomenological philosophy is of particular significance in challenging the proposition that radical, one-sided demands are based on relationality, reciprocity, and thereby expectations of life. In essence, nursing knowledge must recognize that both the nurse and the patient are human beings who are in need of love and goodness. Such recognition may have an impact on nurses remaining in everyday nursing practice.