Therapeutic relationships between health care providers and patients can have wide effects on patients’ health outcomes. There is a significant body of literature that has investigated therapeutic relationships in nursing and medicine. However, there is a lack of literature investigating therapeutic relationships between nurse practitioners and patients in primary care. The purpose of this integrative literature review is to identify actions that novice nurse practitioners can take to develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with adult patients in primary care. Using an integrative literature review approach, actions related to competence and knowledge, valuing and affirming exchanges, patient engagement and reciprocity, and appreciating context were identified. Engaging in these actions may help novice nurse practitioners develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients in primary care. Focusing on the British Columbian practice environment, this review makes recommendations related to professional identity, solidarity, role ambiguity, patient empanelment, complex patients, and transitions in care.
