A comparative analysis of lay-caring and professional (nursing) caring relationships

Acceptable definitions of the terms care and nursing have yet to be reached. Some may feel that lack of agreement on the meaning of these concepts is a rather esoteric or academic point: the argument put forward in this paper is that until a clearer perception of the concepts of care and nursing is arrived at, the profession will be limited in its ability to develop its expertise or to set standards related to the quality of care. The paper outlines the extent to which these concepts have been explored and details the developments and some of the limitations of present modes of thought. An alternative perspective is offered, based on a comparative analysis of the professional (nursing care) and lay-caring relationships. By this means, a set of characteristics similar in both relationships has been identified. Quality of care in the professional caring relationship is thought to relate to the extent to which aspects of caring activities implicit in the lay-caring relationship are carried into the professional nurse–patient relationship and made explicit. The ability of the nurse to do this emerges as one aspect of her therapeutic nursing function.