Therapeutic communication skills are essential in nursing practice, and with the proper techniques, nurses can ensure that clients take an active role in their healthcare. Through this interview simulation, I was able to roleplay as a nurse and test out my communication skills in a safe environment that challenge the improvisation aspect of my critical thinking. Not only was I able to identify the strengths and weaknesses in my approach, but also found areas in which I could improve to make my relational skills more professional. Ultimately, I discovered the importance of these skills, and recognize which areas I need to refine to ensure that I am communicating effectively with my future clients.
The Interview
Prior to the interview, I chose …show more content…
For example, at one point my client was in the middle of explaining herself and I did not give her enough time to answer before clarifying points with her by stating “sorry to interject”. Silence, according to Arnold, is not only a chance for the client to reflect on the importance of their answers but also an opportunity for the nurse to “step back momentarily and process what he or she has heard before responding” (2016, p. 89). Despite staying relatively silent throughout my client’s answers, this was one instance in which I could have taken a bit more time to let her collect her thoughts instead of moving on to the next topic so quickly. In addition to this, I noticed that I used repetitive phrases and colloquial terms such as “um” or “like” before explaining a topic, which to a client may appear unprofessional. I also noticed that I tend to fidget quite often, whether it be touching my face or involuntary jaw movements, which could be nonverbal distractions for my …show more content…
This might stem from inexperience with a professional interview, and my effort to be engaged with my client but to the point of excessiveness. To fix this, I would ensure to give my client more time to respond, to be more patient with their answers, and to be wary of my nonverbal movements. I also will consult resources that will improve my verbal skills, so that I can avoid using colloquial language in the interview, which is especially important because I will be encountering a diverse population of clients all with varying cultures and education levels.
Conclusion
Overall, this interview simulation helped me to identify that most of my strengths lie in the verbal aspect of therapeutic communication, but also helped me recognize that I need to be more conscious of my nonverbal body language. I will take these lessons learned and apply them to my future practice, so I can ensure I am providing my clients with the best
The Interview
Prior to the interview, I chose …show more content…
For example, at one point my client was in the middle of explaining herself and I did not give her enough time to answer before clarifying points with her by stating “sorry to interject”. Silence, according to Arnold, is not only a chance for the client to reflect on the importance of their answers but also an opportunity for the nurse to “step back momentarily and process what he or she has heard before responding” (2016, p. 89). Despite staying relatively silent throughout my client’s answers, this was one instance in which I could have taken a bit more time to let her collect her thoughts instead of moving on to the next topic so quickly. In addition to this, I noticed that I used repetitive phrases and colloquial terms such as “um” or “like” before explaining a topic, which to a client may appear unprofessional. I also noticed that I tend to fidget quite often, whether it be touching my face or involuntary jaw movements, which could be nonverbal distractions for my …show more content…
This might stem from inexperience with a professional interview, and my effort to be engaged with my client but to the point of excessiveness. To fix this, I would ensure to give my client more time to respond, to be more patient with their answers, and to be wary of my nonverbal movements. I also will consult resources that will improve my verbal skills, so that I can avoid using colloquial language in the interview, which is especially important because I will be encountering a diverse population of clients all with varying cultures and education levels.
Conclusion
Overall, this interview simulation helped me to identify that most of my strengths lie in the verbal aspect of therapeutic communication, but also helped me recognize that I need to be more conscious of my nonverbal body language. I will take these lessons learned and apply them to my future practice, so I can ensure I am providing my clients with the best