Communication means the exchange of information or conversation between two or more individuals. Communication is an important part of our daily lives; we communicate with different people in different ways throughout the day. Therefore, in nursing effective communication is important. Nurses should know how to communicate with patients, their families, and other healthcare workers to improve patient care.
Here in this blog, we will discuss the types of communication and the skills nurses require to improve patient care.
Verbal communication:
Communication skills in nursing include verbal communication which means using speech or words to convey messages to the other person. This can be done face-to-face or on the phone. It is important that when you are speaking to the patient it should be clear and in complete sentences. Nurse-to-nurse communication is different from the communication between the patient and nurse. Nurses should have the ability to know how to talk to small children and healthcare professionals. The strategy of good verbal communication is to speak in such a way that the other person can understand you and respond correctly.
Non-verbal communication:
Nurse communication skills also include nonverbal communication. This means conveying your message to the other person without using words. Non-verbal communication means using body language and gestures to communicate with the other person. Not only this nurse should have the ability to understand what other people are saying using nonverbal methods. Some of the ways of non-verbal communication are facial expressions, hand gestures, touch, eye contact, and more.
Active listening:
Effective communication in nursing also means active listening. This technique in communication means listening to the other person in such a way that you understand what he is talking about and how to respond in the best way possible. The key elements of active listening are paying full attention, remembering, and responding appropriately.
Written communication:
Communication skills in the nursing example also include written communication. This means that your message is conveyed in written form rather than in verbal form. This type of communication is done through texts, nursing charts, and more. Some examples of written communication in nursing are:
- Patient charts.
- Nurse notes that include patient information.
- Handoff reports of the patient.
- Discharge papers with instructions.
- Care plans for the patient.
- Email and electronic communication.
- Policies and procedures that are involved in patient care.
Cultural competence:
Patients belong to diverse backgrounds and cultures. It is important for nurses to understand and respect the cultural differences of people. Cultural competence is another important communication skill in nursing. This means that the nurses can interact with people from different backgrounds which is effective and ethical. The advantages of this type of communication are improving patient trust and comfort, enhancing patient satisfaction, and supporting ethical and professional practice.
Educating patients:
One of the most important types of communication for nurses is educating patients. Give the right and clear information to the patients about their treatment plans, the procedure and side effects, and how it is going to affect them. While educating patients, the information given must be clear, correct, and without any confusion. This communication is not only between the patient and nurse but also between the nurses and their families.
Presentation skills in nursing:
Communication skills in nursing also include presentation skills. Presentation means giving your information to a group of people. In nursing, sometimes, it is possible to present your information to a group of people. Good communication skill in nursing means that the presentation should be clear and correct and the people should understand it easily. While giving a presentation, you can use visual aids, be confident, and make sure the information given is clear.
Emotional control and compassion:
Emotional control and compassion are other important skills that nurses must have. During stressful situations, nurses might become emotional. They should know how to control their emotions and not affect patient care. The ability to recognize and control one’s emotions and that of others is also an important skill for nurses. They should provide support to their patients when needed. This is an effective communication skill that allows the nurses to provide patients with comfort and support. Nurses should treat their patients with respect and dignity, whether that person is an adult or a child.
Clear communication:
Another effective communication skill is clear communication. This means the message given to the other person is clear without any confusion. The words said or written should be correct and clear so that the other person can understand and respond accordingly.
Patient advocacy:
Patient advocacy means that if the nurses see that the patient is treated differently because of their cultural background, language differences, or more then they should raise their voice. The nurses need to advocate for their patients and their rights. This type of communication is important in the field of healthcare.
Interpersonal communication skills
The ability of nurses that allows them to interact with patients, their families, and other healthcare providers is called interpersonal communication skills in nursing. Professional communication skills for nurses must include:
- Empathy for patients.
- Respect.
- Adaptability.
- Patience for patients such as kids or mentally ill patients.
- Cultural competence and understanding.
- Conflict resolution and solving problems.
- Emotional intelligence and understanding.
- Active listening.
- Teamwork and collaboration with other healthcare workers.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that communication plays a vital role in nursing. Nurses must have communication skills to provide better patient care. These skills include empathy, emotional intelligence, compassion, and much more. We also discussed the types of communication and the importance of advocacy. Effective communication results in better patient outcomes, whereas the opposite is true.
