Interpersonal Communication Skills in Nursing

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.

Communication Skills 2
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