Essential Communication Skills Every Nurse Should Have

Nurses have busy schedules and work in a consistently fast-paced environment. Therefore, communicating efficiently and effectively is essential. Not only this, but nurses also have to adapt their communication style to suit a range of patients and different situations. In this blog, we will be unpacking essential communication skills all nurses should have.

The four Cs of communication in healthcare

The four Cs of communication in nursing include clear, concise, correct and complete. No matter the type of communication, ticking off the four Cs will set you up for success.

Verbal communication

The first is an obvious one - clear verbal communication. Nurses communicate with young children, right up to elderly patients. Therefore, speaking clearly and at an appropriate volume for each patient is essential. In some cases, patients are not fully aware of what is going on while under care, so nurses need to ensure they feel safe and well looked after. Speaking to patients in a calm, respectful tone will allow for this.

Verbal communication is also crucial from a nurse-to-nurse perspective too. Clear instructions are vital when it’s time to hand over from one shift to the next. Although important reminders are often noted down, quick passing by comments are essential to get right. Due to time constraints in handovers, keeping your communication concise is key. Ways to stay efficient whilst communicating include, planning what you are going to stay. We understand that there is often little time to do this, however, whilst you walk over to a colleague, mentally plan out your points. It is also important to be mindful of over-explaining. Remember to only cover what is important for the current moment.

Lack of clear verbal communication between colleagues can result in mishaps and mistakes. Therefore, ensuring the message is communicated and understood is essential.

Non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication doesn’t just involve written communication. It includes body language and gestures as well. In order to reflect your willingness to care for and help patients, open body language is a must. To achieve open body language, ensure you are close to your patients, sit with them when possible and keep your arms uncrossed and open. Closed body language includes crossed/folded arms, legs crossed or standing or sitting on an angle. Avoiding these closed body actions can make a huge difference to your patients. Smiling at your patients also goes a long way in achieving a non-verbal sense of care.

Non-verbal communication is also very important to get right. As mentioned, reminders, notes and comments are written down during a handover. Therefore, written communication is just as important. Is the message clear? Are the details correct? Are enough details provided? These are all important questions for written communication, no matter the urgency or length. To ensure a message is clear, taking a moment to re-read the information can make a huge difference. Reading it aloud can help too! Remember, communication needs to be complete, so don’t leave any small details out.

Communicating compassion

From the initial point of care and triage, right throughout treatment and release, nurses are there through the whole process. Often, patients are at their most vulnerable. Therefore, showing that you understand how a patient feels makes a huge difference in developing a personal, trusted connection. Putting yourself in the patient's shoes is an effective way to truly understand their wants and needs.

Getting to know your patients on a personal level provides a great opportunity to learn how they can best be cared for. This includes ways you can go above and beyond to help them. For example, putting on your patient's tv when you know their favourite show is starting soon or ensuring they have two sugars for their tea (if that’s what they love!).

It is common for patients to feel lonely and isolated whilst under care. Being an active listener for your patients can position them to feel heard, supported and less lonely. Traits of an active listener include engaging in eye contact when possible, nodding whilst they talk, responding throughout their story and asking follow-up questions.

Communicating through barriers

Each day, nurses meet new patients who come from entirely different backgrounds. It isn’t uncommon to have a patient who doesn’t speak English or speak at all. This can be a huge barrier to effective communication. Seeking assistance from other nurses and medical interpreters can help you provide the best care and communication possible.

Cultural awareness

Every patient is unique, so individual differences need to be considered when communicating. Understanding differences such as religious beliefs and cultural background is important. When asking someone about their background, approach the situation in an open, respectful tone. Show your patient you are willing to listen and be educated too.  Being aware allows for respect and further understanding and may lead you to alter how you deliver a message. All of which can enable a patient to truly feel recognised.

Educating patients

Nurses are educators as well as carers. Often, nurses have to explain things to their patients. Whether it’s about a condition, a symptom they have, a medication they're taking or simply why they are performing a particular test. When a nurse is explaining something to their patient, communicating clearly is necessary. Ways to ensure your patient understands is to ask them questions and ask them to repeat their understanding. Clarity speaks for itself!

Benefits of good communication

When you are busily working on shift, communication might not always be at the forefront of your mind. However, there are many benefits to good communication that will help you make it through your shifts.

Providing the best care possible

When you and your patient have effective communication, you will be able to truly understand how they are feeling and how you can provide additional support. As you grow closer, you will be able to provide what they need before they even ask. Not only will that position your patient to feel cared for but noticed too.

A seamless workflow

When you and your fellow nurses communicate well and are up to date, your day overall can completely change. Think of communication as the key to a well-oiled machine. It makes the cogs turn and helps everything chug along nicely!

Communication that follows the four Cs is effective communication. So, next time you are communicating, check them off mentally to ensure your message is good to go, no matter the communication style.

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