HUMAN RELATIONS IN NURSING

HUMAN RELATIONS IN NURSING DEFINITION Human relation is a science of applying principles of social psychology in improving the working of an organization and to make it more productive and the worker happier to improve efficiency and satisfactionHuman relation is motivating people in organizational setting to develop team work which accomplishes individual as well as organizational goal effectively OBJECTIVES OF HUMAN RELATIONSHuman relations approach emphasizes on the policies and techniques designed to improve employee morale and job satisfaction so as to increase the employee efficiency and reduce unrestTo increase productivity and efficiencyTo promote understanding of the people behaviour in group or as an individualGetting people to work effectively

CONCEPT OF HUMAN RELATIONSConcept relating to the nature of peopleConcept relating to the nature of organization

Concept relating to the nature of people1. Individual differencesThe individual differences in attitude, skill etc affects the job behaviour of peopleThe principle of individual difference also emphasizes that a manager or administrator has to deal with human beings, who differ in feelings, emotions, goal etc. individual difference has wide application in selection, placement and designing of training programmes and to know their motives and behaviours and to supervise them effectively2. Whole person conceptThe concept of whole person signifies that behaviour of a person cannot be studied in isolation. The person comes to the workplace as a complete person. He has his own background, emotions, feelings and sentiments, which cannot be separated from the skill he is using on the job. At the place of work the person may carries with him the problems of his private life and they also influence his performance of work.

3. Motivational behaviourAn important determinant of individual behaviour and performance in an organization is motivation. From the psychological point of view it can be learned that behaviour of individual has certain causes. These causes may relate to an individuals need or the consequences that result from his/her acts. The concept of motivational behaviour remind that the supervisor or the manager by his/her own behaviour can cause an employ behave in a particular way.4. Human dignityIt tells that every person should be respected simply because he happens to be an employee of the organization. The concept of human dignity rejects the old idea of treating employees simply as economic tools, which has no sensitivity or dignity. If a person is not treated with dignity he will not co-operate with the organization. He will be dissatisfied because he feels his efficiency will go down.

Concept relating to the nature of organization1. Organizations are social systems: An organization is a social system, which coordinates the activities of its members for the achievement of common goal. It is the part of society and it consists of people who are social being. The behaviour of individual is also related to the group in which he/she belongs. A change in the social system is reflected in the organizational behaviour through the behaviour of its employees as individual and as group.2. Mutual interestAn individual join an organization if he feels that his goals will be served. The statement that organization needs people and people need organization represents mutual interest. People need organization to achieve their goals and organization need people to help or get the help to reach the organizational goal. So human relations broadly implies interaction and co-operation among people in group i.e. school, business, industry, hospital etc. CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN RELATIONSInteraction/communication: Whenever two or more individuals come together and start exchanging information. This interaction may be of short or longer durationNeed satisfaction: If the members of a group find that in the process of interaction some of their needs get satisfied they continue interaction.Modification of behaviour: Also through interaction people develop certain attitudes and perceptions which modify their mutual behaviourGroup goals: These interacting persons also decide up on striving together for the achievement of certain goalsRole differentiation: Different persons contribute differently in the achievement of the group goals. Or they play different parts. These are called roles. Gradually these goals get stabilizedStatus: People playing different roles yet have different importance. This is termed as status. Status also carries its own level of power.Group structure: The power distribution gets arranged in to a hierarchy. This is known as group structure.Norms: All groups develop regulatory rules known as norms.FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROWTH OF HUMAN RELATIONS IN NURSINGRecognition of the dignity of the individual and his/her personalityEncouragement to independent thinking and self decision makingDevelopment of professional managers rather than autocratic managersChange in work environment

The recognition that the real power centres within an organization are the interpersonal relationships established within the work environmentThe belief that the organizations developed around human relationships, including those between leaders and employeesThe human relations movement focuses on human feelings and attitudes of employees.In a hospital the producer and the raw material comprises of human beings and the nurses are mainly dealing with human beings.IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION IN NURSING ADMINISTRATIONgenerate trust between nurse and the clientprevent legal problems in practicesolve problems in the working environment provide nurses with professional satisfactionvehicle for establishing a therapeutic relation ship and good professional relationship in the work placemeans by which people influence the behaviour of another Communication is the relation ship itself because without it, therapeutic nurse patient relation ship is impossible.Communication is also a means for nurses to bring about changes in the work setting.Failure to communicate can lead to serious problems for nurse and the client and can threaten nurses professional credibilityCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN HOSPITALPeriodic talks between employer and employeeSign posts for the patients and for general publicStaff conferences to get suggestions and for decision makingSocial gathering to remove inter personal relationshipsEmployees consulting in problem solvingStanding orders and protocols Hand book to provide general informationManuals policy & procedure manualsBulletin boardsSuggestion systems, complaint booksHospital magazine, bulletinAnnual reportsLight signalling systemsAlarm systems in accident prone areasTele communication systems, intercom, paging system etcPublic relations officer, inquiry officerPatient information bookletInserts in the pay rolls, attendance registerSTEPS IN IMPROVING AND MAINTAINING GOOD HUMAN RELATIONS IN NURSING ADMINISTRATIONKnow your personnel well, their goals and aspirations.Understand their functionsHelp them to perform their assigned jobs by adopting positive reinforcement techniquesPraise them in public to the good job doneAdmonish them in private for any wrongful practicesBe sincerely interested in them

Set examples for othersDo not be afraid to share responsibilityDeal with the complaints in time and give personal attention to the problemsTreat subordinates and clients with dignity and respectBe open and transparent and tell why things need to be done or changedDelegate responsibility with authorityPraise, appreciation, awards and letter of thanks should be liberalNeeds must be satisfied by realizing status positions Speedy removal of grievancesKeep all the channels of communication openDevelop a positive attitude towards others and lifeDo not preach but actKeep your promises whenever madeCultivate the qualities to win over the confidence of others by being truthful, loyal, honest, tolerant, fair firm, broadminded and full of integrityProvide an enlightened leadershipFoster a climate for real participation to develop team spirit among the employee Using good judgements while dealing with the needs and feelings of subordinates.Maintain good interpersonal relationship with co-workers and members from other department or agencyADVANTAGES OF HUMAN RELATIONS IN AN ORGANIZATIONContribute to peoples skill buildingHelp to understand peopleHelp to predict about peopleHelp to motivate for effective workHelp to increase the adjustment level of people

Help to promote adjustment mechanismsHelp to understand individual differenceHelp to improve interpersonal skillHelp to develop positive attitudeHelp to assess needs and desires LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN RELATIONSUndue emphasis on human relations will do harm more than goodMass conformity: Over dependency on human relations reduce individual efforts and promote group effortsManipulation of people: Manipulation of people for selfish endsNo exact but commonsense: Most of the human relations practices are not exact and is simply based on commonsense or humanitarian interest of people

Lack of confidence but liking people: Human relations approach is considered as a wrapper employed by a manager, who lacks confidence in his ability. Unrealistic removal of conflicts: Human relations help to reduce destructive conflicts only. There may not be a real solution for the conflicts.Weakens managerial authority: