Nursing student–patient relationship and related factors—A self‐assessment by nursing students

AbstractAims and objectivesTo describe the nursing student–patient relationship in terms of three types of relationships—mechanistic, authoritative and facilitative—and analyse the factors related to the type of relationship.BackgroundAs future professionals, nursing students have a central role in facilitating patient autonomy while working in partnership with patients. Supporting student–patient relationship throughout the nursing education may result in positive outcomes for both students and patients.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsThe data were collected from a convenience sample of Finnish nursing students using a structured web survey. Statistical data analysis was performed using chi‐square test, two‐sample t test, one‐way analysis of variance and multinomial logistic regression. The STROBE Statement — Checklist for cross‐sectional studies was used (Appendix S1).ResultsStudents most often assessed their relationship with the patients as facilitative, followed by authoritative and mechanistic relationships. The results revealed three predictors for facilitative relationship: students’ older age, long enough contact time with the patient and higher competence in ensuring