Caring Beyond Norms: Relational and Reflective Nursing Practice in Encounters with LGBTQI Patients – A Theoretical Discussion

Introduction
The nurse–patient relationship is central to the Fundamentals of Care (FoC) framework, where trust, presence, and dignity form the foundation of person-centered care. For LGBTQI patients, healthcare interactions can be affected by heteronormative assumptions and past discrimination, creating barriers to safety and trust. Caring in these situations becomes not only a professional duty but also an ethical act of acknowledgment. This theoretical paper explores how reflective and norm-aware nursing practice can promote relational and inclusive care for LGBTQI patients, thereby strengthening the ethical and philosophical aspects of caring in modern healthcare.
Main body
Building on the Fundamentals of Care Framework—especially the Relating dimension—this theoretical paper combines Katie Eriksson’s caritative caring, Patricia Benner’s concept of reflective practice, and queer theory as a critical perspective. Eriksson describes caring as an ethical encounter rooted in love, faith, and recognition of human dignity, while Benner emphasizes experiential learning and self-reflection as essential to professional growth. Queer theory questions hetero- and cisnormative assumptions, showing how these norms can unconsciously influence caring relationships. By integrating these approaches, caring for LGBTQI patients is viewed as a reflexive, ethical, and relational process that requires both professional courage and humility. Practicing reflexivity enables nurses to “meet the Other” authentically and build trust through inclusive, person-centered interactions.
Conclusion
Incorporating reflective and norm-critical approaches into nursing education and clinical supervision can improve relational skills and ethical awareness. This development supports the FoC framework and encourages a more inclusive and compassionate care environment. By integrating caritative, reflective, and critical perspectives, this paper argues that the future of caring depends on our ability to care beyond norms—treating each person with openness, dignity, and genuine presence.