NR 351 Week 3: Discussion: Building Communication and Collaboration Skills (Graded)

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

Nurses must have effective communication skills. Communication skills are highly essential in nursing as they improve care coordination, collaboration, and patient care outcomes in a healthcare environment. There are a plethora of resources that nurses can use to improve their communication skills, including reading scholarly articles, using educational and training programs, technology, self-assessment tools, patient satisfaction surveys, the use of regular meetings, etc. (Vermeir et al., 2015). Reading current evidence-based articles can offer one strong insight into the strategies and interventions for improving communication in the changing and highly complex healthcare environment. Educational and training programs can increase nurses’ knowledge and skills in communication with patients and colleges. Technology, for instance, electronic health records (EHRs) can significantly improve the nurses’ communication skills by guiding them in documenting patient data effectively (Masters, 2020).

The most effective communication skills for nurses include non-verbal communication, personal relationships, active listening, compassionate care, written communication, emotional intelligence, and honesty. With these skills, nurses can build effective relationships with their colleagues and patients. Effective communication is the foundation of quality and safe patient care. It eliminates communication errors that are directly associated with medical and medication errors. More so, communication, especially with patients, makes them feel included in their care. It also empowers patients and their families to engage in their care plan, leading to better health outcomes and quality of life. According to Vermeir et al. (2015), communication enhances collaboration and care coordination, which is important for healthcare providers to protect their patients, save costs, and increase daily operational efficiency.

References

Masters, K. (2020). Role development in professional nursing practice (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.

Vermeir, P., Vandijck, D., Degroote, S., Peleman, R., Verhaeghe, R., Mortier, E., … & Vogelaers, D. (2015). Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 69(11), 1257-1267. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12686.

Mindfulness is a resource I use to improve my awareness of communication skills in the professional setting. Being present in the moment allows me to give patient centered care. I believe this facilitates the development of trust and hopefully conveys respectfulness to the patient. “Mindfulness practice helps nurses to be more fully present with their patients and themselves. The ability to pay attention to what is happening “right now”, in this room with this patient, and not to be distracted by other demands and concerns, creates space to use your wisdom and knowledge effectively and with care for the dignity of each patient.” (Bernstein, 2019). The practice of mindfulness is not always easy as there are so many distractions at the bedside. I have found, right before entering the patient’s room to do my assessment and pass medications, taking a breath and reminding myself to be present, helps keep me on track.  

Our lesson this week speaks to the importance of nonverbal communication, and I feel this is a huge part of effective communication with patients and colleagues. So many times, I have seen nurses (and have probably done it myself) bustling around the room or connected to the computer while the patient is talking. How does that convey interest in the patient or make the patient feel important? I think the SURETY tool from the lesson provides insightful guidance for good communication skills. I especially agree with the intuition part as not all patients desire touch or eye contact. It is important to provide patient centered care and realize that each patient has different needs. Situational awareness is paramount to building a good rapport with patients.

I believe that communication tools which are specific to nursing during collaboration are helpful in conveying information in a brief, but effective way. One example is the SBAR tool. A well-known nursing communication technique. When used properly, it allows the hand off information to be provided in a clear, concise manner. Providing less chance of misinterpretation as the information given is relevant and not filled with pointless data. Another communication skill is practicing respectfulness, and this means awareness of our body language and our tone when communicating with other members of the team. Advocating for patients can be frustrating at times and it can be difficult not to let the frustration show when speaking or getting a point across. Ultimately, speaking in a respectful, nonabrasive tone, listening and using good nonverbal communication tools, results in a professional exchange of information. It is important to me in my own practiceuse effective communication skills  because my patient- centered goal mostly revolves around advocating to ensure the best outcomes. Advocating is much easier when the rapport between the team is respectful, trusting, and patient- goal minded.