Nurses and Non Verbal Communication

Non Verbal Communication

Xu, staples and Shen define nonverbal communication as “facial expression and body language” and further mentions that communication is a reciprocal process between 2 or more people relaying understanding, ensuring the output is acknowledges and correctly conveyed. Video three’s interview indicates poor non verbal communication between 4:36 and 4:54. The Nurses’ body language is closed, leaning over the interview documents, not facing the patient, nor making eye contact. There are no hand gestures or head nodding to let the patient see visual signs that the communication is being clearly conveyed and comprehended. The Nurse is distracted, twisting her hair in disinterest. While the nurse does use vocal acknowledgement while scratching her head saying “oh yeah, ummmm”, there was no recall of what was said by the patient to confirm a mutual understanding. The nurse has effectively omitted 10 seconds of interview, causing a breakdown in communication, spanning content, observed reaction, facial expressions and body language which may have lead to required vital medical history. In order for non verbal indicators to be improved in this scenario, the nurse is required to provided undivided attention to the patient. Leaning toward the patient is a posture signifying empathy and a good attitude (Xu, Staples &Shen 2010). The nurse is required to make a commitment to be entirely engaged in the patients communication to ensure that the messages is conveyed accurately, refraining from performing other tasks such as writing or hair twisting while the patient is speaking. Facing the patient, and maintain eye contact, smiling, assuring nods, and touching will enhance the non verbal plane of patient- nurse communicati...

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... opposing opinions regarding the patients catholic lent rituals as seen between 1:30 and 1:40 of the interview is clearly making the patient unsettled. While it is acknowledge that the interview is purely for study purposes, which is usually conducted in a routine and automatic nature, trust and respect but still be conveyed by the nurse. The nurse would improve the interview by acknowledge and praising the patient for her lent endeavours, and utilising less provocative emotive syntax. When rephrasing or clarifying facts, using neutral syntax such as diet or intake over slang or taboo words such as “junk”, should be avoided to ensure no offense is sustained by the patient. In order for the interview to be conducted in a therapeutic manner for the patient, the nurse must remain nonjudgmental, respectful, and capable of demonstrating empathy and compassion.