Communication skills are crucial for people working in the healthcare industry. Nurses need to be able to communicate properly to convey important information to physicians and other medical staff. They also need to be able to communicate with patients to offer the best possible care. Before you become a nurse, it is important to understand the different types of communication skills in nursing and how they can help you in a medical setting. You can also work on developing these communication skills during your journey to become a nurse.
1. Verbal Communication Skills in Nursing
The most important communication skills in nursing are related to the verbal conversations you will have with patients and other medical staff. As a nurse, you will have to inform patients and their families about important developments in treatment. You will also have to guide patients about their illness and how they can manage their symptoms.
Knowing which words to use to effectively get your point across to patients and their families is a skill that every nurse must possess. It is also important for nurses to convey information to patients in a way that is understandable to them. For instance, you cannot use complex medical jargon when discussing treatment options with a patient. You should be able to simplify medical information for the benefit of the patients.
2. Nonverbal Communication Skills
Nonverbal communication skills are also very important when you are working with patients. A relaxed and calm demeanor can help your patients feel at ease when you are around them. Your patients will also find it easier to ward off negative thoughts while they are stuck at the hospital if you act as a positive influence on them.
It is important to work on your body language when you work with patients. You can also learn to read the nonverbal cues from patients if you have good nonverbal communication skills. Being able to understand what your patients want without them having to speak will help you a lot as a nurse and improve the quality of care that you can offer.
3. Written Communication Skills
Nurses have to compile detailed patient records and then share it with doctors and surgeons. They also write down instructions for patients for aftercare when they are being discharged. However, if a nurse has poor written communication skills, they will fail to effectively convey useful information to medical professionals and patients.
To improve your written communication skills, focus on writing clearly and concisely with special attention to spelling and grammar. When you write down everything clearly, you will also be able to ensure that patients receive high-quality care from medical professionals.
4. Compassion
People often fail to understand that there are a lot of ways to communicate that don’t require written or spoken words. As a nurse, the best tool in your hand to improve the quality of patient care is your compassion. Through empathy and compassion, you can make your patients feel at ease and speed up their recovery time.
Compassion and empathy are must-have traits for nurses. If you approach the patients with a compassionate mindset, you will be able to gain their trust. Once patients trust you, you will find it easier to put their treatment plans into action.
5. Listening
What patients need the most in a medical setting is for someone to listen to them. If you make the patients feel heard and understood, they will find it easier to focus on their recovery. As a nurse, you should put in the work to improve your listening and comprehension skills. Acting listening skills not only help you understand what patients want but also make you empathise with their current situation.
How to Improve Communication Skills in Nursing?
There are several steps you can take to improve your communication skills. Here are a few of them:
- Learn to adapt your communication style to the people you are talking to. Using different vocabulary and tone when talking to patients and doctors can help improve your communication skills.
- Repeat information back to patients or doctors to make sure you have heard them correctly. It is a great way to improve your active listening skills.
- Try to get to know your patients better by asking them questions. You can ask your patients about their hobbies and interests and bond over shared interests. You can not only improve your communication skills this way but also strengthen your bond with the patients.
Now that you have learned the basics of communication skills in nursing, you can start looking for jobs to put them to the test. Reach out to ESGO today if you are looking for a nursing job and we will connect you with reliable employers.
