University Nursing: Interpersonal Communication Reflection NUR2299

This assignment is a reflective journal entry from a nursing student detailing an event involving interpersonal communication in a clinical setting. The student recounts a situation where they were tasked with calculating medication dosage under the supervision of a senior registered nurse (RN). The student's initial calculation of the dosage was incorrect, and they communicated with the RN to verify their work, preventing a potential medication error. The reflection analyzes the student's feelings, values, and beliefs related to the incident, highlighting the importance of assertive communication and adherence to nursing standards. The student references relevant literature to support their analysis and concludes by identifying areas for improvement, including enhanced communication skills and active listening. They outline an action plan to address these areas, including enrollment in training programs and increased practical experience. This reflection showcases the student's understanding of the Gibbs reflective cycle and its application to professional development in nursing practice, emphasizing the crucial role of interpersonal communication in patient safety and effective care delivery.

Running head: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATED WITH AN EVENT I WAS
INVOLVED IN
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

1INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Description of the event
I was assigned to take care of the patient admitted in emergency ward under the
supervision of the senior registered nurse. She instructed to calculate the dose size of the
medicine for administration and went to assess other patient. I calculated the dose size of
different medicine which was not prescribed by the physician. During the practice I have not
administered the medicine and waited for her arrival for confirmation. I communicated with the
RN and discussed my calculation with her. She found that I have calculated wrong dose size and
that too of wrong medicine. She instructed that I should be mindful towards my work. I was
supposed to give wrong medication which was prevented through effective interprofessional
communication.
Feeling
I was feeling low in confidence when RN has instructed me to calculate the dose size. At
the time, I felt that I have calculated the drug size accurately of the right medicine, but I was not
sure. At the time of administration, I was thinking I should communicate with RN and get
assured about the dose size. Hence, decided to wait for her. When the RN reviewed my
calculation and pointed that I have calculated wrong dose size of another medicine, I was guilty
and worried. She said that as I have communicated with her regarding dose size calculation and
prevented the risk of any health complication. I was a happy and at the same time guilty for my
action.
Values
By experiencing the clinical situation, I felt guilty for my unhealthy practice. My
personal belief of being assertive has save me from facing drastic situation. I am insistent and

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does not find it difficult to communicate with other person. I belief that my feeling of guilty and
embarrassment for my activity is because of my professional responsibility towards the patient.
The value of effective care for the patient has led me to evaluate that use my interpersonal
communication with my senior RN for right dose of medicine.
Analysis
Pazar, Demiralp and Erer (2017) has stated that interpersonal communication is the basic
skill that should be acquired by the nurse to avoid any medication error. According to NMBA
standards for nurse they should be assertive and should communicate with other nurses for
reassuring their action and strategies for effective care of patient (Nursing and Midwifery Board
of Australia, 2017). Therefore, I analysed that interpersonal communication is the important
aspect in nursing for providing effective and evidence based care to the patient. I analysed that I
lacked in this domain of nursing practice and need to work for becoming competent nurse. I need
to be attentive in my practice and improvise my interpersonal communication skill.
Conclusion
From the above description, it can be concluded that interpersonal communication skill is
the most important factor for providing effective care to the patient. Hence, it should be learned
by every nurse (Grant & Goodman, 2018). Being assertive is also important for the nurse which
can be acquired by developing communication skill. Therefore, due to my unhealthy practice, I
need to improvise my nursing skill and work in the area of providing effective care to the patient.
Action
To improve my communication skills, I will get enrol in training program where I will
learn communicate with other people, as it is effective action as proved by Darban et al. (2016)

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in his research. I will get involve in practical experience to implement those learning so that I
can imbibe it into my daily practice. Further, I will also try to become active listener to avoid
medication error and maintain NMBA nursing standards.

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Reference
Darban, F., Balouchi, A., Narouipour, A., Safarzaei, E., & Shahdadi, H. (2016). Effect of
communication skills training on the burnout of nurses: a cross-sectional study. Journal
of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR, 10(4), IC01.
Grant, A., & Goodman, B. (2018). Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Nursing. Learning
Matters.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2017). Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia -
Registered nurse standards for practice. Retrieved 17 September 2019, from
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-
standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx
Pazar, B., Demiralp, M., & Erer, İ. (2017). The communication skills and the empathic tendency
levels of nursing students: A cross-sectional study. Contemporary nurse, 53(3), 368-377.