The registered psychiatric nurse employs the principles of effective communication within helping relationships to assist the individual to achieve optimal health.

Rationale:
The function of nursing is to assist the individual to achieve optimal health. The interpersonal nature of the practice requires effective helping relationships.

Audit Factors:

1. Uses facilitative skills to establish trust in helping relationship.
2. Uses problem-solving interpersonal skills.
3. Uses assertive skills in both helping and other professional relationships.
4. Uses interpersonal skills to effect behavior change.
5. Makes explicit the intention to be helping within the relationship.
6. Assists individuals to set realistic expectations for both the nurse and themselves.
7. Assists the individual to establish and maintain satisfying relationships within family and community.