Communication skills in the nursing profession are important as they relate to patient safety, treatment plans and theraupeutic relationships. This essay will look at the skills of listening, feedback and questioning and examine there importance within the nursing workplace. Listening, feedback and questioning are skills of interpersonal communication which when used effectively can positively influence patient outcomes and workplace relationships. By examining their effects on patient outcomes and relationships within the workplace, the importance of these skills will become apparent. By building effective communication skills in the nursing profession, better patient outcomes could be achieved through minimizing mistakes, the building of
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Although hearing is the involuntary act of receiving noise, listening is the ability to receive and understand the intended message (Eunson 2012). The skill of listening is important in nursing as treatment information and patient history can be collected through conversation. Active listening involves not only the ears but all of the human senses (McKenna et al. 2014). Listening allows the nurse to communicate effectively with the patient, families and their colleagues (McKenna et al. 2014). By effectively listening to patients and colleagues, nurses are able to get an overview of the entire situation and also take the best treatment plan. Listening allows the nurse to understand the situation and know how to proceed. Another aspect of listening is to the perspective of the patient as they go through diagnosis and treatment. McKenna et al. (2014) states that to have a successful therapeutic relationship, listening must be one of the main focuses within communication skills. McKenna et al. (2014) also states that poor communication can have the serious consequence …show more content…
Eunson (2012 p.324) defines feedback as ‘advice, support and critique provided in response by one person to another’. Colleagues can give a nurse feedback on her performance and patients can give feedback about their treatment and situation. By using feedback in the nursing profession, a nurse can receive information to improve their patient’s care and also information to evaluate their patient’s situation. Fowler (2013) states that by giving constructive feedback, the nurses strengths can be appreciated and enhanced while presenting areas of weakness which could be improved. Nurses go through an annual performance review, however this process can become a source of anxiety; instead of a chance for improvement of practise (Fowler 2013). Fowler (2013) also recommends feedback to be informal between colleagues, to recognise and appreciate their great work ethic. By providing an individual with feedback they can understand how others view them and receive information to facilitate personal growth (De Janasz et al. 2014). Employee performance and job satisfaction can improve when friendly constructive feedback is given in a trusting work environment (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond 2014). Feedback is also an opportunity to clarify the message and ensure it was received in the intended way; either through verbal communication or non-verbal cues (Day, Levett-Jones & Kenny 2015).
Although hearing is the involuntary act of receiving noise, listening is the ability to receive and understand the intended message (Eunson 2012). The skill of listening is important in nursing as treatment information and patient history can be collected through conversation. Active listening involves not only the ears but all of the human senses (McKenna et al. 2014). Listening allows the nurse to communicate effectively with the patient, families and their colleagues (McKenna et al. 2014). By effectively listening to patients and colleagues, nurses are able to get an overview of the entire situation and also take the best treatment plan. Listening allows the nurse to understand the situation and know how to proceed. Another aspect of listening is to the perspective of the patient as they go through diagnosis and treatment. McKenna et al. (2014) states that to have a successful therapeutic relationship, listening must be one of the main focuses within communication skills. McKenna et al. (2014) also states that poor communication can have the serious consequence …show more content…
Eunson (2012 p.324) defines feedback as ‘advice, support and critique provided in response by one person to another’. Colleagues can give a nurse feedback on her performance and patients can give feedback about their treatment and situation. By using feedback in the nursing profession, a nurse can receive information to improve their patient’s care and also information to evaluate their patient’s situation. Fowler (2013) states that by giving constructive feedback, the nurses strengths can be appreciated and enhanced while presenting areas of weakness which could be improved. Nurses go through an annual performance review, however this process can become a source of anxiety; instead of a chance for improvement of practise (Fowler 2013). Fowler (2013) also recommends feedback to be informal between colleagues, to recognise and appreciate their great work ethic. By providing an individual with feedback they can understand how others view them and receive information to facilitate personal growth (De Janasz et al. 2014). Employee performance and job satisfaction can improve when friendly constructive feedback is given in a trusting work environment (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond 2014). Feedback is also an opportunity to clarify the message and ensure it was received in the intended way; either through verbal communication or non-verbal cues (Day, Levett-Jones & Kenny 2015).