7 Reasons Why Communication Is So Important in Nursing

NURSING MADE EASY

1. Effective Communication among the healthcare team can help reduce the risk of errors in patient care.

    By communicating with one another and documenting when care is provided or withheld, the likelihood of errors related to treatment lessens.

2. Effective communication in nursing is essential in assessing a patient’s response to treatment.

    Nurses must learn how to communicate verbally with patients and recognize nonverbal cues, which could indicate a change in their patient status. For example, a patient may report his pain is a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10, but exhibit grimacing facial expressions and guarded behavior, indicating his pain is higher than his verbal report.

3. Effective communication in nursing care is necessary to advocate for patients.

    According to the Code of Ethics for Nurses established by the American Nurses Association, patient advocacy involves a therapeutic relationship and communication between the nurse and patient. Advocating for patients involves identifying patient concerns and working to alleviate fear, creating better experiences for the patient.

4. Communication with patients and their loved ones helps relieve stress and improves patient outcomes.

    The fear of the unknown can cause undue stress for patients and their families. Nurses can alleviate some of the stress clients and their loved ones experience by keeping communication open and honest.

5. Communication with your patients will help you identify and understand the social determinants impacting their health.

    Social determinants such as lack of stable housing, poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment are associated with increased rates of chronic health conditions that lead to morbidity and mortality. Communicating with patients to understand the social determinants affecting them is essential to developing care plans focused on addressing these factors and positively impacting patient outcomes.

6. Communicating with patients and their families will help identify special needs.

    Many patients have needs that extend beyond their immediate medical concerns. For example, you may be assigned to a patient with a history of diabetes who requires a special diabetic diet or one who has religious beliefs that prohibit them from engaging in certain activities. Taking the time to discuss your patient’s medical history and personal preferences is an essential part of developing a plan of care conducive to their physical and mental well-being.

7. Effective communication in nursing is vital for understanding the status of your patient's emotional and physical well-being.

    Nurses typically spend more time with patients than other caregivers. By using effective communication skills, the nurse can better understand the patient's status, allowing them to provide care on a deeper, more personal level.