Communication is one of the processes needed in humans. Without communication we can not meet our survival needs and relationships in our daily lives. Plus it is also a means of sharing information or feelings between two or more people. It is used to criticize human relations including nursing career capacity. This communication process especially effective builds a trusting relationship between patient and nurse.
Furthermore it’s very important not to judge the patient pertaining to what they may have to say. Good communication helps nurses build a relationship with their patient. Linking my personal experience from the clinical area relates to the practical side of nursing. It is necessary for communication between the nurse and the patient to be clear, understandable, appropriate and
According to Boykin “Caring is the foundation of nursing” (Boykin et al, 2011), and it is the nurses’ responsibility to understand what it means to be caring toward patients, which can be achieved through having professional communication skills. Not only does not being able to communicate affect the patient, but also it affects how the nurse is able to do his or her job to the best they can. Smith and Pressman say that the Institute of Medicine has released reports, which stress, “good communication is critical to ensuring safe and reliable nursing” (Smith & Pressman, 2010). Bad communication skills have the potential to be more dangerous to the patient and can in tern make a life-threateni...
Communication is defined by the American Nurses Association (2013) as reflection in the competencies that embrace effectively communication information and ideas in writing and verbally as well as expressing ideas clearly and concisely and inspiring others. Communication is imperative to human interaction for without it, people cannot relate to those around them, make their needs and concerns known, or make sense of what is happening to them (Casey 2011). Communication in nursing occurs everyday and it plays a crucial role in the management of patients and the quality of care delivered. Because communication occurs with both verbal and non-verbal signals, nurses need to be aware of not just thoughts, opinions, and ideas, but also of feelings, emotions, and non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and touch. Nurses who communicate effectively are better to able to collect assessment data, initiate interventions, evaluate outcome of interventions, initiate change that promotes health, and prevent legal problems associated with nursing practices (Berman et al, 2008, p. 460). Nurses need to be aware of good communication skills and what barriers come along with communication. Communication barriers include distractions, inadequate knowledge, stress, poor planning, differences in perception, emotions, and personality (Berman et al, 2008, p. 471). Good communication includes establishing a clear purpose, actively listening, being compassionate, telling the truth, being flexible, and committing to resolution (Berman et al, 2008, p. 474). Communication is vital to ensure optimal patient care and safety.
A continuous flow of interruptions and fast-paced environment is affecting the ability of nurses and physicians to communicate effectively, which creates a high risk for errors. However, nurses as the last of defense can enhance the safety and prevent errors, and their roles are critical to the process of communication improvement.
Through this experience, I have become a better nurse. I am more aware of key strategies that I can use with my patients who are unable to clearly verbalize their needs, and I have a broader understanding and increased appreciation for communication. This is something many take for granted every day, and it is such an important factor in fulfilling our needs. Without communication, nurses are unable to provide care to patients because the nurses do not know what the patient’s needs are. Therefore, as nurses, it is extremely important and our responsibility to efficiently communicate with all of our patients each and every day.
Communication is an important
aspect
of nursing. In health care, communication is used to coordinate patient care. Communication is an interactive process that occurs when a person (the sender) sends a verbal or nonverbal message to another person (the receiver) and receives feedback (Kelly p 199). The use of communication is highly important while trying to maintain a healthy interpersonal and interdisciplinary relationship with others. The barriers that cause obstacles to effective communication are the use of language; the primary means of communicating whether it is oral, verbal or the use of body language, gender; gender interf...
“Communication is the heart of nursing… your ability to use your growing knowledge and yourself as an instrument of care and caring and compassion” (Koerner, 2010, as cited in Balzer-Riley, 2012, p. 2). The knowledge base which Koerner is referring to includes important concepts such as communication, assertiveness, responsibility and caring (Balzer-Riley, 2012). Furthermore, communication is complex. It includes communication with patients, patient families, doctors, co-workers, nurse managers and many others. Due to those concepts and the variety of people involved, barriers and issues are present. Knowing how to communicate efficiently can be difficult.
Communication involves the exchange of messages and is a process which all individuals participate in. Whether it is through spoken word, written word, non-verbal means or even silence, messages are constantly being exchanged between individuals or groups of people (Bach & Grant 2009). All behaviour has a message and communication is a process which individuals cannot avoid being involved with (Ellis et al 1995).
Arrangements need to be made so that they understand what is happening clearly, whether getting in a translator or just taking slightly more time so that there is a clear flow of communication happening. This will improve the quality of care that they are receiving. A study conducted by Hemsley, Balandin and Worrall (2012) has shown that time is an important factor in communication and where there are barriers nurses may avoid opening the communication channel directly with their patient rather than focussing on the patient’s carer or family to relay the message. This is a less effective way of communicating with a patient, as it does not create an environment where a patient will feel able to communicate freely to discuss any problems they may be having. Anthony & Vidal (2010) point out that the use of correct information is vital, as registered nurses rely on information to conduct quality and safe care. There may be issues with that information if it is not communicated correctly which can lead to common nursing