Effective Communication in Nursing

Running head: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 1
Effective communication in nursing
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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 2
Introduction
Communication is the exchange of information between one or more parties. Effective
nurse patient communication is very important since it promotes therapeutic nurse patient
relationship and patient safety. Within the framework of this essay, there will be a discussion on
the concepts of both verbal and non-verbal communication skills, effective documentation and
person centered care using the case study as an example.
Discussion
Verbal communication skills
Verbal communication is defined as the exchange of a message between two or more
parties using speech. Verbal communication is very important between the nurse and the patient.
It is one of the most important aspect since it enables the nurse to acquire important information
about the patient for effective therapeutic relationship. However, both the nurse and the patient
ought to employ different verbal communication skills in order to build the relationship. In a
survey conducted recently, results indicate that the verbal communication skills employed can
determine the overall outcome of the patient’s health and well-being (Salvi, 2015). In the study,
some of the recommended verbal communication skills include being friendly, thinking before
speaking, not talking too much, authenticity and humility and finally speaking with confidence.
In the case study provided, the nurse can employ the above skills in many ways. Since George
explains that he consumes alcohol on a daily basis that affects his health. The nurse should be
very confident when explaining to the patient the consequences of alcoholism. When George is
giving his opinion, the nurse ought to be very humble and listen to well as him. This is because
the response provided is likely to be used in coming up with effective nursing interventions. The

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 3
nurse also ought to be very authentic when advising George. This is because studies indicate that
show off is a big turn off among many patents and this hurts the patient nurse therapeutic
relationship. Nurses are therefore supposed to be very mindful of the verbal communication
skills so as to strengthen the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship.
Non-verbal communication skills
Nonverbal communication is sharing information between two or more parties without
the use of spoken language. In nursing, studies recommend different non-verbal communication
skills for effective communication between the patient and the nurse for effective therapeutic
relationship. The most common non-verbal communication skills include use of gestures, facial
expressions and body positions. In the case of George Pham, the nurse can employ different non-
verbal techniques. Since the patient says that he takes alcohol on a daily basis, the nurse should
express surprise through facial expression (Mastrototaro, 2015). The nurse should appear very
worried. This will make the patient get worried as well with his alcoholism behavior. Once the
patient gets worried, it becomes easier for him to abstain from alcoholism. Furthermore, George
says that he quit smoking but he misses cigarettes. At this point, the nurse should express
happiness on his face to signify that quitting alcoholism is a good step towards well-being. The
nurse can also express happiness when recording normal parameters such as a normal
temperature of 37 degree Celsius. An expression of happiness encourages George to provide
more information. Nurses should ensure that they employ the non-verbal communication always
when interacting with their patients to bolster the therapeutic relationship between the two.
Person centered care