Interpersonal Communication Skills in Nursing

This article discusses the significance of interpersonal communication skills in the nursing profession. It explores the benefits of effective communication between nurses and patients, such as personalized care, improved patient outcomes, and trust building. The article also highlights the essential skills of listening, feedback, and questioning in nursing communication.

Running head: Communication Skills 1
Interpersonal Communication Skills in Nursing
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Introduction
Intercommunication is defined as a process by which people are able to exchange
information and feeling through nonverbal and verbal communication (Choi, Song and Oh, 2015
p.90). It is very crucial for nurses to have interpersonal communication skills. Any interaction in
the health care space puts into account the three elements of interpersonal communication skills.

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It is essential for nurses to employ the vital interpersonal skills of questioning and rapport
building in their undertakings (Yildirim and Özkahraman-Koç, 2019 p.12). This helps the nurses
building a positive relationship with their clients. Generally, excellent communication skills are
essential for one to be successful as a nurse. The field of nursing benefit from interpersonal
communication skills because they are very effective in building positive relationships between
nurses and their patients, prevent possible mistakes, and establish maximum care to patients.
Interpersonal communication skills of listening, feedback and questioning
The profession of a nurse is very serious because a nurse takes care of human life, which
is absolutely special. Through effective interpersonal communication, it is possible to reduce
these types of deaths because some medical errors can be prevented by good communications in
the healthcare sector (Sancar and Aktas, 2019 p. 1). Therefore, it is possible to reduce or
eliminate the medical error by enhancing communications in nursing. Therefore, interpersonal
communication skills of Listening, feedback, and questioning are imperative for the nursing
profession.
Interpersonal communication skills of listening in nursing
Active listening is an essential communication skill that can have an impact on the
effectiveness of job and quality of relationships with others. Active listening involves paying
attention to others when they are speaking, understanding the message, comprehending the
information and responding thoughtfully (Tweedie and Johnson, 2018 p.65). Further research
conducted by Payton, 2018 p.269) shows that nurses engage in “active listening” practice are
twice more likely to identify concerns of patients as compared to nurses who don’t have
“listening skills”. Nurses should have the ability to listen attentively to their patient in order to

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identify their key message. Furthermore, they should be effective and good listeners by
demonstrating non-verbal and verbal techniques in order to keep and show their attention to
speakers. The patient first interacts with the nurse and it is through the nurse that the patient is
able to assess whether his/her medical needs will be attended to. The patient first interacts with
the nurse and it is through the nurse that the patient is able to assess whether his/her medical
needs will be attended to. Therefore, it is important for a nurse to effectively communicate with
the patient’s caregiver and family members (Choi, 2018 p.65). Furthermore, a successful nurse
will require the ability to listen attentively to people so that they can relay the appropriate
feedback to the other party. The nurses are trained to report the underlying medical problem of
the patient using the appropriate medical terms. A nurse with good listening skills is therefore
able to pick up on the symptoms based on the information provided by the patient and determine
the appropriate medical action as a result.
Interpersonal communication skills of feedback in nursing
Feedback is equally a very important interpersonal communication skill in nursing.
Feedback in communication skills refers to the ability to give back response in regard to patients’
queries and concerns (MacLean, Kelly, Geddes and Della, 2017 p.90). Feedback enhances the
role of the nurse as it helps the nurse offer the best care to all their patients. It is through
feedback that the nurse learns and improves their performance, motivation to provide care, and
efficiency which is all important for attaining the roles and responsibilities of the nurse
(Defenbaugh and Chikotas, 2016, 2016 p.176). Feedback interpersonal communication skill
establishes the system of transmitting information between the nurse and the patient or other
medical professionals. When nurses provide feedback to their patients, the patients are motivated

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to receive treatment because they understand that their treatment plan is working or the patients
are able to make the appropriate changes to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment plan.
Consequently, there is an improvement of the overall patient outcome as well as nurse
motivation to his/her duties. Furthermore, patients’ feel treasured and valued when they receive
timely and effective feedback and therefore they are likely to attend the facility for the
medication in the future.
Interpersonal communication skills of questioning in nursing
Questioning in interpersonal communication skills involves a way of finding more
information from audiences using questions. Questioning is an imperative interpersonal
communication skill in the nursing profession as well. People learn through asking the
appropriate questions and it is a basic activity for human beings to want to gather information.
The nursing profession is embedded in this communication skill. Nurses are required to identify
the medical problem of their patients. It is therefore very important for nurses to have the ability
to ask their patient the appropriate questions. It is through asking questions that the nurse is able
to understand the health information of the patient. Successful nurses are those able to ask the
patients about their symptoms and signs so that they can effectively identify the illness and
prescribe the most appropriate treatment method.
Benefits of applying interpersonal skills in nursing
As a nurse, one is responsible for providing care to people who are sick. Some of these
sick people are often unable to speak up their ideas for themselves. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of the nurse to advocate or speak on behalf of their patients. Sick people are
vulnerable, and they need the nurses to be well equipped with interpersonal skills so that they

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can speak on their behalf. By utilizing interpersonal skills of communication effectively, nurses
are able to support their own emotions, spiritual, and psychological development.
There is so many benefits derived from effective interpersonal communication between
nurses and their patients. It is easier for a nurse to provide their patients with personalized care
when they have excellent communication skills. Such nurses are able to understand the
underlying concern and challenges faced by their patients and are therefore better placed to
address these concerns on the behalf of their patients resulting to an improved patient outcome
(Yoo and Park, 2015 p.166). When a nurse is active in communication, the patient feels
comfortable and is willing to reveal his/her medical symptoms. Listening interpersonal skill
allow a patient to enjoy undivided attention from the nurse, and as a result are willing to reveal
their symptoms which are crucial information for treatment. Similarly, good interpersonal skills
are able to make the patient feel loved, safe, and confident which is important for treatment and
patient’s recovery. Other benefits of interpersonal skills in nursing include enhancement of
connection, identifying and solving problems, helping in trust building, helps in avoidance of
critical information and increasing knowledge and understanding of various topics
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no doubt that effective interpersonal communication is particularly
beneficial and has a crucial role in the entire patient’s experience in healthcare. The largest
portion of interpersonal communication is born by the nurse because the nurse interacts directly
with the patient at the grassroots level. Nurses are required to be equipped with the ability to
clearly communicate with others, especially during stressful periods, because they have the
responsibility of providing patients with the information they need about treatment.

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References
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on a smart phone on communication competence and emotional intelligence in nursing students.
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Choi, Y.J., 2018. The value of psychosocial group activity in nursing education: A qualitative
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Defenbaugh, N. and Chikotas, N.E., 2016. The outcome of interprofessional education:
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MacLean, S., Kelly, M., Geddes, F. and Della, P., 2017. Use of simulated patients to develop
communication skills in nursing education: An integrative review. Nurse education today, 48,
pp.90-98
Payton, J., 2018. Improving Communication Skills within the Nephrology Unit. Nephrology
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Sancar, B. and Aktas, D., 2019. The relationship between levels of Alexithymia and
communication skills of nursing students. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 35(2).

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Tweedie, M.G. and Johnson, R.C., 2018. Listening instruction for ESP: Exploring nursing
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