Effective Communication and Nursing
Effective communication is fundamental to any profession. But in healthcare and particularly nursing, strong communication skills can make the difference between life and death. Nurses are at the center of patient care. They act as a bridge between patients and physicians, helping convey important healthcare information. Therefore, a nurse must be able to initiate and hold dialog effectively with their patients, helping them understand their health issues, and guiding them on how to take care of themselves. Nurses must also be able to communicate and explain the patient’s condition to the physicians and the nursing team. Without effective communication in nursing, the risk of serious medical errors increases.
Why is effective communication important in Nursing?
Effective communication in nursing is key to the delivery of quality and safe health care. First, effective communication between patients and nurses have been shown to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. Nurses with good communication skills can better understand their patients and provide personalized care to each patient. When patients feel that someone cares about them, they develop a trustful and interactive relationship where they can disclose their feelings and symptoms more accurately. All these factors are essential in ensuring a quicker and swifter treatment and recovery process.
Good communication in nursing does not only benefit the patients but the entire healthcare team. Since nurses are central players in healthcare delivery, they are automatically tasked with initiating dialogs and communicating crucial information to patients, families, physicians, and other nurses. Therefore, a nurse should be able to explain symptoms and any changes that arise to the physician accurately and on time. In addition, nurses who are able to maintain good communication with their coworkers are more likely to remain motivated and satisfied during practice.
What entails effective communication in Nursing?
While communication skills can be taught to nursing students in a classroom setting, the real test is incorporating the skills learned in theory into practice. Even with exceptional clinical expertise, a nurse without strong communication skills will make minimal impact. But nurse communication extends beyond talking to patients and other team members. Effective nurse communication entails active listening skills, written communication, verbal and non-verbal communication. This can only be achieved if a nurse has exceptional interpersonal skills, is genuinely compassionate, culturally aware, and strives to understand the patient’s health and emotional needs.
References
Al-Johani, A.N., Aloufi, A.H., Mariwa, R.Z. and Al-Omari, A.A., 2019. THE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN NURSING TRIAGE. Trends in Social Sciences, 1(3), pp.1-6.
Boggs, K.U., 2019. Role Relationship Communication Within Nursing. Interpersonal Relationships E-Book: Professional Communication Skills for Nurses, p.428.
Sibiya, M.N., 2018. Effective Communication in Nursing. Nursing, 19.
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