Developing self-awareness in both verbal and non-verbal communication enables us to enhance our communication skills. The resources I personally utilize to enhance my overall awareness of communication skills in a professional setting includes but not limited to doing things like reading body language, listening for any noises my patients may be making that could suggest they’re in pain or in need of assistance. I work in a group home that caters to disabled seniors that are non-verbal and usually non ambulatory, so I need to be self aware of the need to implement the proper skills to understand my patients. It’s important for me to use those skills and learn new techniques to care for them the best way I can. I also have to delegate to non-licensed personnel which requires me to verbally communicate in a way thats precise and easy to understand especially when speaking about someone’s condition. We as medical professionals need to be aware that not everyone may know medical abbreviations/conditions/jargon, so a way to address that issue would be to speak to someone using general words that most people will understand. When dealing with inter-professional communication such as doctors or practitioners using the method SBARR which represents; (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, Review) can eventually lead to improved communication and promotes teamwork (Nancy, & Sabio 2019).
Teamwork is an important skill to have for collaborative interactions to run smoothly. Nurses must depend on their team members for both contributing to team goals and providing assistance when necessary. Teamwork is important in my own practice because I deal with other healthcare professionals. When collaborating with fellow healthcare professionals, the nurses role involves acknowledging each interdisciplinary team members expertise and contributions, actively listening, sharing responsibilities in exploring options and goal-setting, and engaging in inter-professional research to enhance understanding of specific clinical issues (Masters, 2020). Effective teamwork enables all team members to use their skills” (Hood, 2018, p. 459). The objective of working together as a team is to deliver high-quality patient care (Masters, 2020). Which is why its important in my own practice to be an effective communicator. Delivering patient safety and care is my ultimate priority.
References
Hood, L. J. (2018). Leddy & Pepper’s professional nursing (9th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Masters, K. (2020). Role development in professional nursing practice (5th ed., p. 667). Jones & Bartlett.
Nancy, P., & Sabio, C. (2019). A Framework for Educator Storytelling: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, Review (SBARR). Nurse educator. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30130267/ Links to an external site.
In the professional setting, I use many resources for effective communication. I am always striving to improve my awareness of how effectively I communicate with patients and staff. Being up to date on policies and the latest evidence-based practice guidelines aid in helping me communicate quickly on my feet. I utilize my fellow staff members to assist when a patient is trying to understand patient education. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can bridge the gap between nurse and patient interactions. A great reminder to myself to practice listening instead of anticipating my answers is also a constant goal. I have learned not to take situations personally and manage my emotions as not to make compulsive decisions. Remaining calm and professional has led to much success in my career.
Effective communication skills that nurses bring into practice are based on their knowledge of self. We have to dig deep into our personality traits to find our strengths and weaknesses. Most nurses I have encountered are trustworthy and professional. When we decide to work as a team to ensure our patients understand their care, better compliance can be achieved. The goal of teamwork is to provide quality patient care (Masters, 2020). I can communicate with peers easily when we respect one another. Patients can develop a strong relationship with healthcare providers who show compassion and empathy towards them. Communication breaks down and patient care can suffer if the patient feels we are indifferent regarding their pain, questions, or fears. Sometimes, I unintentionally send nonverbal cues that can be misinterpreted by peers and patients. I have learned through the years to be cautious, clear, and concise when communicating. Change of shift and SBAR Handover are critical instances when our communication needs to be utilized from different sources. (Eggins, 2016) states, “Communication in handover involves a complex mix of formal and informal communication in both spoken and written modes.” Accurate charting and verbal clarity helps to paint the picture of the patient’s overall health.
References:
Masters, K. (2020). Role development in professional nursing practice (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Eggins, Slade, D., & Geddes, F. (2016). Effective communication in clinical handover : from research to practice. De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110379044