Running head: NURSING AND BENEFITS OF COMMUNICATION 1

Nursing and the benefits of effective communication

Avery R. Long

Galen College of Nursing

NURSING AND BENEFITS OF COMMUNICATION 2

Abstract

Effective communication between nurses and patients is critical to obtain favorable results of

nursing care and the individual patient. In order for these outcomes to be obtained, nurses need to

understand how to help the patient. Nurses do this by being creative and applying many types of

communication techniques based on individual patient and case. Patient care should be practiced

by nurses with courtesy, respect, empathy and confidentiality to obtain trust from their patients.

and must not forget that this communication includes persons who surround the sick person,

which is why the language of communication should be understood by all those involved in it.

Good communication requires nurses to use many techniques, and ability to adapt to apply

individualized and effective care to patients.

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Nursing and the benefits of effective communication

As noted by Verderber R. London, The art of communication, (1998.), nursing focuses on

serving and caring for the well-being of a human. Requiring scientific knowledge, and the

application of technical, intellectual and interpersonal skills. Communication is critical in every

aspect of nursing such as prevention, education, therapy, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Communication can aide in the exchange of information, thoughts, and even feelings. Different

types of communication are used daily by nurses when practicing patient care. The types of

communication most likely include written, nonverbal and verbal. In order for nurses to be

successful, they must understand the importance of the various aspects and applications of

communication when practicing patient care.

Nonverbal Cues

Because each patient and case will be different, nurses must possess the adaptability to

apply different types of communication. When communicating, nurses will use verbal, nonverbal

and written communication. Each aspect of communication is important to achieve positive

results when caring for patients. Application of nonverbal communication when performing

visual examinations can be critical to the care of a patient. Nonverbal cues such as body

language, appearance, eye contact, and may even indicate symptoms missed by others. Nurses

often spend more time with patients and influence care than a doctor. The extra time nurses have

while caring for patients could lead to discovery of indicators that could be life altering if not

addressed, such as clubbed nails. Clubbed nails are often an indicator that a patient has an

oxygen problem and could be experiencing a number of life-threatening issues. This indicator

found could mean a patient diagnosed or treated incorrectly receiving care for the underlying

conditions. Maguire P. London describes the importance of communication skills for all
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healthcare professionals, and the quality of care in direct relation to the application of

communication effectively (Communication skills for doctors. 2000.) Doctors often rely on the

skills and care nurses provide to achieve effective patient care.

Verbal Application

Nursing care requires verbal communication with patients and is very effective when

applied. Verbal communication skills that nurses must possess should include empathy. Patients

are more likely to communicate honestly when they feel the care received is personal. Nurses

must practice respect, courtesy and create a confidential environment for patients to

communicate. The application of these skills in and creation of a confidential environment can

help build dialogue between healthcare professionals and patients. In combination these can

improve effective patient diagnosis, treatment and education. Successful outcomes often require

the nurses application of many aspects involved in verbally communicating between patients.

Written Communication and Success

Written communication can provide excellent patient care when applied thoroughly.

Nursing care often involves the care of more than one professional. Nurses often leave at the end

of a shift and in order to educate the nurse that will replace them, they must use the written

patient file. Patient files are often used by the many professionals that may have contact with

patient such as doctors, anesthesia, or radiology. The record left by these healthcare professionals

could provide the successful care plan. When nurses document many details, these could be

combined later to change diagnosis and care. If a nurse documents that a patient’s urine output to

be minimal, this could be combined with an earlier notation in the patient record of yellowing
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skin. The diagnosis could mean many things including kidney failure or poor liver function.

These small details could mean the preventative care to achieve successful patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Communication with patients is an part of the art of medical practice. Not only based on

exercise and application, but ability to individualize different skills needed that differ from

patient to patient. The need for education in communication skills for nursing school students

could be beneficial to those that do not possess skills required in a clinical setting. The results of

application of a vast communication skillset will be able to demonstrate greater understanding

for patients with additional benefits to patient satisfaction producing greater chances of success

for newer nurses. Having the confidence to treat and address issues in a clinical environment to

achieve successful patient care outcomes.

Application of good communication can vastly improve the quality of care patients

receive, which can be seen in results. A meaningful relationship between patients, nurses and

other healthcare professionals should be considered patient right, and a building block for

genuine bonds for patient and professionals in healthcare. In the multicultural world we are

living in today I think this is even more important than ever. Religion, race, age, sex and any

other differences should not affect care or provide boundaries in healthcare. Nurses ability to

overcome the many obstacles such as language barrier, preconceived notions of healthcare

professionals or past experiences are the real qualities pf importance.

Nursing as a service to humans, requires good dialogue and interpersonal relationships

with each patient receiving care. Our society focuses so much on technology now that the

application of communication skills is not practiced in every aspect of life. However nursing

would drastically change if these interpersonal relations were replaced and communication was
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no longer individualized or caring. Patient care requires the empathy and attention that a nurse

can give. application So in order for modern Nursing as a service to humans to realize the

project, there is a need for dialogue and a good interpersonal climate that develops personally

with each sick person, especially in our modern multicultural society. The best expertise training

and continuing education of nurses in matters relating to the proper technique of communication

will enable them to respond adequately and humanely to the expectations of patients.

Nursing requires practice and application of all communication skills and the

adaptability to create individual care for patients. In combination these could mean the difference

in successful patient care for nurses. Nursing care must involve the combined use of verbal,

nonverbal and written communication. The combination of skills will ensure the probability of

individualized patient care with favorable results.

In conclusion, great communication is the building block that leads to improved ability to

provide nursing care for patients. Good care from nurses often leads to prolonged lives,

satisfaction of patients, and successful outcomes in patient care.

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Verderber R. London: Wadsworth Publ Co; 1998. The art of communication.