Effective Communication In Nursing

Significance of Effective Communication Related to Leadership and Management in Nursing “The only thing humans do more than communicate is breathe,” (Yoder-Wise, 2015, p. 325). This single quote captivates the significance of communication relating to leadership and management in nursing. Human beings are continuously communicating with all people they come into contact with, nursing is no exception. Merriam Webster defines Communication as, “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.” Nurses learn how to communicate long before they pass the NCLEX and obtain a job in the field of nursing. However, casual communication with a person in a bank line, for example, does

An interdisciplinary team often consists of many different individuals, of whom hold many different titles and roles, who come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and levels of education. Examples of different team members may include Medical Doctors, Physician Assistants, Nurses, CNAs, EMTs, dietary staff, social workers, PT and OT Rehab staff, facility administrators, Billing and Quality Assurance staff, insurance company employees, and government employees and officials. These many different individuals make can make up a health care system or health care team and the goal or objective of this team is to achieve the best possible patient outcomes, through providing the best possible patient care. In order to attempt to achieve the goal of the best patient outcomes, a large interdisciplinary team must use effective communication between all members of the team. A breakdown, barrier, or miscommunication of information between any of the team members may lead to a decrease in patient care leading to a decreased or worsened patient outcome. Three aspects of effective communication related to leadership and management in nursing will be discussed in this section: effective communication between a leader and his/ her followers, effective communication between professional peers, and effective communication between health care providers and patients. These three aspects will be discussed because

According to Arnold and Boggs (2015) in order for effective communication to take place between professional peers, the leadership must create an “esprit de corp,” which is a sense of pride and fellowship among team members. Esprit de corp leads to the development of team synergy, meaning together the team can achieve more than each individual could achieve alone. Arnold and Boggs (2015) also report that leadership must seek collaboration and input of ideas from all team members when attempting to solve problems. Arnold and Boggs (2015) continue in suggesting that leadership of a team must ensure respect for dignity between all team members when communicating. Lastly, Arnold and Boggs (2015) suggest that persistence and a good sense of humor are necessary for honest communication between professional