• Gunilla Haydon, Pamela van der Reit, and Graeme Browne.
• a School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health , University of Newcastle , PO Box 210, Port Macquarie, Newcastle , NSW 2444 , Australia.
• Contemp Nurse. 2015 Jan 1; 50 (2-3): 214-26.

BackgroundAlthough the use of humour in health care has been well investigated, the humorous interactions between nurse and patient are not. This research project investigated the humorous interaction between patient and nurse.AimsThis study aimed to explore four registered nurses' experiences of the use of humour in relation to gender differences and how humour influences the therapeutic relationship.DesignNarrative inquiry was the chosen methodology as it allows participants to include what is important to participants and highlights how experiences shape social interaction and understanding of events.MethodsRegistered nurses were recruited from a regional hospital. Interested participants contacted the researchers and shared their stories. Data were analysed using a narrative enquiry methodology.ResultsThe study indicated gender differences in the way humour is used by patients. For female patients, humour is often instant and situation bound and used as a reassuring discourse for others, whereas male patients' humour through stories and anecdotes is designed to establish a sense of equalising power between the patient and nurse.

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