Effective communication is an integral part of nursing practice, and nursing professionals should ensure that in their professional practice they combine interpersonal communication with knowledge and clinical work. Dialogue is used by nurses to exchange information with other healthcare professionals as well as the patients and their families (O'Hagan et al., 2013). It is therefore crucial for a nurse to be able to pass information clearly and concisely, using either speech or other forms of communication (Kourkouta & Papathanasiou, 2014). Various types of communication are essential in nursing practice. In this paper, the different kinds of communication that are essential in nursing practice will be explored and discussed, including verbal communication, non-verbal communication, written communication and visual communication. The paper will also include how nurses utilize these types of communication as well as their benefits to the nurse-patient relationship. .
Verbal communication is also known as oral communication, and it involves speaking, and writing. In verbal communication, the tone of a statement can be emphasized mistakenly (Kelton & Davis, 2013). For instance, a short irritable speech, a high pitch, or a phrase decode are decoded in a certain way by the listener. An additional meaning is added to words by fluency, speed, volume, pauses, tone, and pitch. When spoken word and body language interact, then this form of verbal communication is face-to-face. The listener receives and decodes two types of messages; both intended and unintended messages (O'Hagan et al., 2013). The essentiality of verbal communication is quickness and conciseness.
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Communication between a nurse and patients as well as colleagues requires that both the words being spoken as well as body language send the same message since in most cases, patients tend to interpret what they see as the intended message, not what is meant. Through body language, the patient can read a nurse both consciously and unconsciously (Kelton & Davis, 2013). In nursing practice, verbal communication occurs between the nurse and the patient, the nurse, and other health care professionals and colleagues as well as the nurse and the patient’s family. Verbal communication is a crucial strength for every nurse and being able to communicate a wide range of messages to different persons is considered an excellent nursing skill (O'Hagan et al., 2013). Nurses usually engage in teamwork which requires skilled verbal communication skills.
Non-verbal communication is also known as interpersonal communication, and it is a language that involves several factors including body language, room decoration, and layout, appearance as well as clothing. For example, a reception that is tidy communicates a welcoming message for the patients, while an untidy reception communicates otherwise (O'Hagan et al., 2013). Body language, include several factors such as facial expression, position, eye contact, physical reaction, and touch. Effects of non-verbal communication are often individualized, and in some patients, a frown may indicate that the nurse is bored taking care of the patient while in some instance a frown may suggest that the nurse is empathetic of the patient’s condition. Some scholars regard non-verbal communication as more powerful than verbal communication (Kourkouta & Papathanasiou, 2014). Therefore, nurses are encouraged to be more observant when dealing with patients as body language can indicate severe clinical symptoms. In nursing practices, non-verbal communication is vital because it also helps nurses and doctors understand each other (Kelton & Davis, 2013). For instance, if a nurse smiles at a patient, it is a sign of reassurance. Most people feel helpless and worthless when sick and a nurse who sends a positive message through body language, reassures the patient that they will get better.
Written communication is an essential type of connection in nursing practice. Even in the current world of technological advancements, nurses use written form of communication to write patient's prescriptions, keep patients records and to leave a message for a colleague. In addition to these traditional forms of written communication, the modern forms such as messaging are also crucial in nursing practice (McCabe & Timmins, 2013). Though written communication can either be formal or informal, its safe and effective use is essential. For example, in the case of a written prescription, a patient may misplace it thereby causing inconveniences. In other instances, a nurse may record the wrong medication or omit a specific important piece of information with regards to the patient’s care. It is therefore essential for nurses to be cautious when it comes to written information because a slight mistake can cost a lot including a person’s life (Kourkouta & Papathanasiou, 2014).
It is vital for nurses to learn how to communicate informally and formally. Formal communication usually happens between nurses and their supervisors, especially when providing feedback on a particular task or reporting a project to the hospital’s stakeholders or board members. Formal communication is essential in nursing practice because it allows important messages to be passed to the relevant persons easily (Kourkouta & Papathanasiou, 2014). When the nurses' shift comes to an end, the nurse is required to provide the critical information that is relevant to the nurse taking the incoming shift. It requires formal communication because the nurse has to ensure that every piece of information about all the patients is transferred correctly to the healthcare professions taking the next shift. An informal discussion also takes place between nurses and their colleagues and between nurses and patients. Informal communication between a nurse and a patient creates an environment where the patient is free to share insecurities, fears, and worries with the nurse (Kelton & Davis, 2013).
Visual communication is an essential type of communication in nursing practice. It is mostly used when conducting health promotion campaigns or when educating patients and community members on different health topics (Kelton & Davis, 2013). Visual communication is informative and easy to understand, and also entertaining. For instance, when a nurse is educating diabetic patients on self-management practices such as medication administration, use of visual aid creates an exciting environment where patients are eager to learn (Kourkouta & Papathanasiou, 2014). Different types of communication have been discussed and their effectivity in nursing practice as well as their benefits for the patients. In conclusion, therefore, effective communication is an important part of nursing practice and nurses should be able to utilize the different types effectively.
References
Kelton, D., & Davis, C. (2013). The art of effective communication. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy! , 11 (1), 55-56. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/nursingmadeincrediblyeasy/fulltext/2013/01000/The_art_of_effective_communication.14.aspx
Kourkouta, L., & Papathanasiou, I. (2014). Communication in Nursing Practice. Materia Socio Medica , 26 (1), 65. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3990376/
O'Hagan, S., Manias, E., Elder, C., Pill, J., Woodward-Kron, R., McNamara, T., … McColl, G. (2013). What counts as effective communication in nursing? Evidence from nurse educators' and clinicians' feedback on nurse interactions with simulated patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing , 70 (6), 1344-1355. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24224663
