The objective of the study was to analyze the process of therapeutic communication as developed by nurses who work in hospital units according to Peplau's theory. It is a descriptive-exploratory research accomplished in the period of October and November of 2006, of the Municipal district of Fortaleza, CE, Brazil in octuber and november, 2006. The participants of the study were 14 patients and 12 nurses, through a a semi-structured interview. Data were organized in thematic and discussed with literature review. Results demonstrated that since admission to hospital discharge, there is communication and interaction with a interpersonal relationship. Several times, however, that communication does not accur as it was supposed to, beacause nurse in her work does not priorize the visit to patients in her daily activities. Patients have difficulties to distinguish nurses from other halth care professionals, which difficults the approach and development of therapeutic communication.
Communication; Nursing; Care