Making oneself at home? Examining the nurse-parent relationship

Abstract

Current literature concerning parents’ involvement with their hospitalised children focuses on the issues of partnership and family-centred care. Relatively few studies address the dynamics of relationships, practice, and the associated issues of responsibility, status and power. Using participant observation within an interpretive framework, this study highlights an inherent paradox in the expectations and roles of parents, situated as visitors and partners in caring for their hospitalised child.