Nursing in this theory is described as an art that helps people who need healthcare and the goals are achieved by following a series of steps according to one scheme. The nurse and patient must work together during this process to achieve these goals. Interpersonal Relationship Theory is a process that begins with the roles of the nurse, and those roles begin with the nurse as stranger, teacher, resource person, counselor, surrogate, and leader (Nursing Theories, 2012). The theory begins with the stranger role, which is defined as the introductory phase and is an environment where the patient meets the nurse and develops a trusting relationship. The nurse as teacher allows the nurse to provide knowledge and information about a particular interest while the resource person provides specific information about a problem or situation. As counselors, nurses help make life decisions and provide guidance. The surrogate role acts as an advocate on behalf of patients, while the leader role involves the nurse taking on most of the responsibility for helping patients cope with treatment.