Love in nursing: reality or fantasy?

From the beginning of theorizing in nursing, relationship was proposed as an essential element in care. Love is also an essential element in a relationship. Although the place of love in nursing has not been explained systematically, the works of theorists such as Watson and others` works are significant. Therefore, this study is presented with the aim of explaining love in the relationship between nurse and client.

To explain the concept of love in nursing, articles related to this concept were reviewed in internet and library resources until September 2022. First, the electronic databases were searched with the keywords of love, relationship, nurse, client, and nursing in Farsi and English separately and combined. Then by reviewing the summary, related articles were identified and the text of the articles was studied completely. In completing the search process, authentic library sources were also checked.

The functions of love in communication include deepening interpersonal relationship, healing relationship, job richness and stability of care, which can be realized in the context of virtuous ethics.

Although the most important challenges for its advancement, i.e. the presence of loving nurses and the need for sufficient human resources, are obstacles to its implementation, but the use of love in nursing with an emphasis on moral and spiritual teachings and leadership can improve the position to become a professional nurse. The strength of love in nursing is recommended as a humane approach to increase favorable outcomes for the client and the nurse.