Interpersonal communication in any career field is important. This communication is defined as the “process by which people exchange information, feelings, and meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages: it is face-to-face communication” (SkillsYouNeed). Without communication, life is much more challenging to get any tasks done. Whether it is through non-verbal cues, body language, different expressions or talking, people are always communicating. In the healthcare field, interpersonal communication is essential. As nurses assume higher roles in patient care, the importance of developing strong communication skills keeps growing. Excelling in these skills is essential “for the successful outcome of individualized nursing care of each patient. To achieve this, however, nurses must understand and help their patients, demonstrating courtesy, kindness and sincerity” (Communication in Nursing Practice). A career in nursing is centered on proper patient care and establishing relationships with patients. Although nurses cannot control experiences or emotions, they can help create a helpful, supportive environment for the patients. Using effective interpersonal communication skills can help nurses be more effective and collaborative in patient care as well as conversing with other medical professionals. Using interpersonal communication skills will improve the patients care as well as reducing the stresses of being ill.
The care a patient receives is largely based on the relationship of the patients and nurses. According to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, “communication with all patients is very important to the provision of quality nursing care” (Journal of Clinical Nursing). The relationships built are constructed by how effectively the nurse gets to truly know the patient and their needs. Patient care is directly impacted by the relationships formed in these healthcare facilities. Good nurse to patient relationships are “described as the ability of the nurse to ask questions with kindness and provide information in a way that does not scare, that demonstrates interest, creates feelings of acceptance, trust and a harmonious relationship, especially in modern multicultural society” (Communication in Nursing Practice). As patients are constantly sending signals to their healthcare providers, it is the nurse’s duty to pick up on these cues. The nurses are responsible for taking that information and carefully passing on the information to everyone involved in the patient’s care plan.
One of the most important interpersonal skills to have is effective listening. Listening includes “empathy, silence, attention to both verbal and nonverbal communication, and the ability to be nonjudgmental and accepting” (Shipley, S. D.). If a nurse can actively listen and recognize the patients’ concerns, they will collect the important, unique information needed to successfully access the person in need. Listening to patient’s history will help the medical staff correctly diagnose them and eventually help treat them in the most effective and efficient way. When a nurse listens, they “assess the situation and the problems of the patient; they enhance his/her self-esteem and integrate both the nursing diagnosis and the process of care at all levels” (Communication in Nursing Practice). It is important for a nurse to be on task and fully aware when a patient or doctor is speaking to them. A patient expresses “their fears and concerns to their nurse and helps them make a correct nursing diagnosis. Nurses should “have skills that keep the focus of communication on the patient, that demonstrate active listening and assist with information giving” (Nursing Standard). The nurse takes the information and in turn transmits other information to the patient with discretion and delicacy as to the nature of the disease and advises with treatment and a rehabilitation plan for health promotion” (Communication in Nursing Practice). It is one thing to listen, but to truly hear something is extremely different. It is unfortunate because “Many patients feel that they do not get enough time to tell their story” (Jason Oshita). Being present physically and mentally can make a difference in the effectiveness of listening.
It is always important to be clear with the patient to avoid making assumptions. People may get the wrong impression if you are talking to them about their care plan. It is always important to have conversations with the patient to make sure they are correctly understanding the instructions or information being presented to them instead of just assuming they completely understand. Clean and concise instruction from a healthcare professional will encourage people to be more attentive to their follow up healthcare once they leave the hospital. By doing this, misunderstandings and false information will be avoided. This will provide patients with a sense of security and peace of mind.
How a nurse presents themselves can also be an effective communication skill in this field. If you come into contact with a patient looking confused, timid or preoccupied, a patient is more likely to feel uncomfortable and not receive all of the information clearly. A person’s attitude and posture can totally change a situation. If a nurse makes time for their patients and is knowledgeable about their case, a patient will feel much more comfortable with the people providing their care. The more comfortable the patient is, the more willing they will be to speak up about their concerns which will be beneficial for their health and healthcare providers. According to the Department of Communication and Science and Disorders, “nurses and patients have reported concern and frustration when communication is not adequate” (Journal of Clinical Nursing). Presentation of medical professionals is so important when providing quality care to patients and their families.
Patients can also communicate through verbal or non-verbal cues, which “can be anything you see or hear when you are interacting with another person” (Nursing Standard). People can give obvious or subtle cues. They can be something as simple as looking away when receiving news about treatments, or not making eye contact when a doctor or nurse comes in the room. It is crucial to always be observant and present when dealing with patients to catch on these cues. If you see a patient starting to act nervous or confused, it is a nurse’s job to talk the patient through whatever is going on or give the patient more information.
A communication skill that is also very important in the healthcare field is effective writing. A responsibility of nurses is to thoroughly chart everything that happens in order to communicate effectively between the patients, their families, and other healthcare providers. This will allow for punctual patient care and minimal errors. The more knowledgeable people are about their patient’s case creates less room for error. Clear written communication will ensure the best possible care for the patient. Having good records is important because “the quality of record keeping can be a reflection of the standard of care given to patients: careful, neat, and accurate patient records are the hallmarks of a caring and responsible nurse, but poorly written records can lead to doubts about the quality of a nurse's work” (Community Eye Health). Poor communication within a healthcare facility can pose many risks for the patients as well as the nursing staff. Miscommunication can impact patients in many different ways. It could lead to a wrong diagnosis, health complications, or even a fatal mistake.
An important and necessary skill nurses must have is patience. There will be times that you have difficult patients and family members, as well as people with memory issues who just have difficulties communicating their needs and thoughts. Although a nurse’s patience will be tested, it is their duty to remain calm during these situations. If the reaction is negative, the patient might get upset and even angry, which can lead to further complications down the road. It is likely that a patient will be at ease if they feel a supportive relationship forming between them and their nursing staff,
Effective communication directly impacts patients and the care they receive. It can also help nurses improve and excel at their own work. If a patient has quality interaction with their nurse, their opinion of the care they received will be much higher than someone who doesn’t build a relationship with their personal care staff. In the healthcare setting, “positive communication fosters the best possible delivery of healthcare services” (Jason Oshita). The more kindness and efficiency demonstrated by the hospital staff will impact the patient’s wellness and attitude during their hospital stay. I have been a patient in a hospital before and I have experienced both good and bad care. I was directly able to see how the hospital staff truly affects the patient’s hospital stay. When I was hospitalized, the doctors did not listen to what I had to say, and I was completely misdiagnosed. I ended up having unnecessary surgery which required me to be in the hospital for two weeks longer than I should have been. That whole situation could have been avoided if I was listened to, taken care of correctly, and diagnosed correctly. I believe this experience in the hospital will help me be a better nurse because I was shown something that should never have been done.
Interpersonal skills are necessary in order to be an effective nurse. It truly requires “an understanding of the patient and the experiences they express, skills and simultaneously the sincere intention of the nurse to understand what concerns the patient” (Communication in Nursing Practice). Developing these skills will allow nurses to be able to be successful in different situations and with different patients. It will also help with your colleagues and other medical professionals. Many people are dependent on nurses and they play an important role in keeping hospitals together and functioning. Now, I realize how it is so important to have a connection with the people that are being taken care of. By doing all of this research, I have been enlightened in multiple ways how I can become a better nurse and healthcare provider. I now know that effective communication as a nurse is very important since nurses spend a majority of their time with patients than doctors do. In this particular field of medicine, “every point of contact can be an opportunity to improve patient care and relationships using effective communication” (Nursing Standard).