A charge nurse is discussing the care of a client who has a substance use disorder with a staff nurse.
Which of the following statements by the staff nurse should the charge nurse identify as countertransference?
A.
“The client asked me to go on a date with him, but I refused.”.
B.
“The client needs to accept responsibility for his substance use.”.
C.
“The client is just like my brother who finally overcame his habit.”.
D.
“The client generally shares his feelings during group therapy sessions.”.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. “The client is just like my brother who finally overcame his habit.”
Explanation:
Countertransference occurs when a healthcare professional projects their own personal feelings, experiences, or biases onto a client. This can happen when the nurse’s past experiences, emotions, or relationships influence their perception of or behavior towards the client. In nursing, countertransference can be problematic because it may cloud judgment and interfere with the objectivity required to provide effective and unbiased care.
In this scenario, the statement “The client is just like my brother who finally overcame his habit” is a classic example of countertransference. The staff nurse is comparing the client to a personal family member who had a similar issue, which indicates that the nurse’s personal experience with their brother is influencing their perception of the client. This emotional connection to the past experience with the brother can lead to unconscious biases, potentially affecting the nurse’s professional relationship and care approach toward the client.
Here’s why the other options are not examples of countertransference:
- Option A: “The client asked me to go on a date with him, but I refused.”
This statement reflects a professional boundary being maintained by the nurse. It does not indicate that the nurse is projecting personal feelings or experiences onto the client. Instead, the nurse is appropriately refusing an inappropriate request from the client. - Option B: “The client needs to accept responsibility for his substance use.”
This statement is a reflection of the nurse’s belief in the importance of personal accountability in recovery. It does not suggest that the nurse is influenced by personal experiences or emotions in their interaction with the client. - Option D: “The client generally shares his feelings during group therapy sessions.”
This statement is an objective observation about the client’s participation in therapy. It does not involve the nurse projecting personal feelings or experiences onto the client.
Countertransference can be subtle and might manifest as over-identification with the client, taking on a rescuing role, or even the opposite—feeling frustrated or resentful toward the client. Awareness and management of countertransference are crucial for maintaining therapeutic relationships and providing unbiased, effective care. Nurses should be mindful of their own emotional responses and seek supervision or support if they recognize signs of countertransference in their practice.