Communication in Professional Nursing

Communication and interpersonal skills are closely related in the nurse-to-client professional relationship. There are several different types of communication in professional nursing. They are written communication, verbal communication and nonverbal communication. (Craven& Hirnle, 2009).

In this essay I will recall and describe my experience in a health care environment and reflect on communication in that interaction. I will look into interpersonal and communication skills used by the health professional and what I learned from this interaction. And if I am going to use those skills in my future nursing practice.

I would like to describe my resent experience with the nurse. I visited the clinic to assess my health and immunity status. I needed to get referrals for blood tests and immunization. She invited me in. The nurse asked me for my preferred name to be addressed. She made sure that she and I were sitting at the same level. The nurse was making direct eye contact with me during whole conversation. She maintained my personal space. The nurse was actively involving me into communication. She was encouraging me to ask questions and was ready to provide needed information. She was making sure that I fully understood all nuances of the conversation when she realized that English was not my first language. She was avoiding the use of medical jargon to make the conversation easier to understand. The nurse was speaking in a soft, unhurried voice that expressed genuine interest. It was inviting for me to join the conversation. The nurse was very polite, respectful and caring. I obtained all necessary referrals for blood tests and immunization armed with all relevant information regarding it. This interaction made me feel impo...

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...a positive one. And the nurse will be perceived as a highly qualified professional as well as a very warm and caring individual. I think this is the ideal image for the contemporary nursing. And all of us as future nurses should try achieving high standards in being professional but warm and caring.

Works Cited

Arnold, E. C., & Boggs, K. (2011). Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication skills for nurses. (6th ed.). Missouri: Elsevier Saunders.

Craven, R., & Hirnle, C. (2009). Fundamentals of nursing: Human health and function (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott.

Daly, J., Speedy, S., & Jackson, D. (2010). Context of nursing: An introduction (3rd ed.). Australia: Elsevier.

New Zealand Nurses Organization. (2010). Code of ethics. Retrieved June 27, 2011, from http://www.nzno.org.nz/Portals/0/publications/Code%20of%20Ethics%202010.pdf