This document discusses different types of communication for nurses, including verbal and non-verbal communication. It explains that verbal communication can be subject to misinterpretation depending on language, intent, and cultural understanding. Non-verbal communication such as body language and facial expressions can also be culturally interpreted and is often more powerful than verbal communication. The document then describes effective communication, therapeutic communication, and professional communication for nurses and provides examples of each. It also lists facilitators and barriers to communication.

1. Communication for Nurses
EMERSION COURSE FOR ENTERING BSN
STUDENTS

2. What Verbal Communication for Nurses is NOT
 Intrapersonal
 An interior dialogue with oneself
 Interpersonal
 A dialogue between persons with equal expectations for
personal gain
 Social
 Dialogue between peers for entertainment
 Self-serving
 Patient is focus-not nurse

3. Omnipresent
circular
process of
transmitting,
coding, and
sending
messages
Verbal and Communication Definition
Non-verbal

4. Verbal Communication
 Subject to misinterpretation
 e.g. What does the sentence, “You cannot put too many
chocolate chips in chocolate chip cookies” mean?
 Dependent on understanding of
language, slang, clichés
 e.g. What does the sentence, “Do you have any bread” mean?
 Dependent on intent, such as sarcasm
 e.g. What does the sentence, “ I love it when James walks in
front of me and then slams the door in my face” mean?

5. Words
Sentences
Sounds
Tone
Verbal Communication

6. Non-verbal Communication
 Subject to cultural interpretation
 More powerful than verbal communication
 Easier to understand than verbal communication

7. Body
language
closed
Non-verbal Communication

8. Body
language
open
Non-verbal Communication

9. Personal
space is
culturally
determined
Non-verbal Communication

10. Facial
Expressions
Non-verbal communication

11. Types of Communication for Nurses
 Effective
 Used to obtain necessary information in the quickest possible
manner
 Therapeutic
 Used as a means of promoting relief through verbally mediated
processes
 Professional
 Used to transmit important information

12. Effective Communication
 Closed ended questions
 What is your name?
 Where does it hurt?
 Yes no questions
 Are you hungry?
 Are you married?
 Commands
 Point to the area that hurts
 Open your mouth

13. Used to
collect base-
line
information.
Needed to
make quick
decisions
Effective Communication

14. Therapeutic Communication
 Open ended questions/statements
 How are you?
 Tell me more
 Minimal encouragements to continue
 Go on
 Uh huh
 Active listening
 Therapeutic use of silence
 Open body language

15. Used to help persons
collect their
thoughts, articulate their
feelings, and experience
relief through catharsis.
Therapeutic Communication

16. Examples of Facilitators to Communication
 Using Silence
 Accepting  Yes, I understand what
you said
 Giving Recognition  Hello Mr. H. I notice you
shaved yourself this AM
 Offering Self
 I’ll stay with you a while
 Giving Broad Openings
 Tell me what you are
thinking
 Go on
 Offering General Leads

17. Facilitators to Communication
 Restating  Client “I can’t study. My
mind keeps wandering.”
 Nurse “You are having
trouble concentrating.”
 Client “What do you
 Reflecting
think I should do about
my medication cost.”
 Nurse “How do you think
this problem can be
addressed?”

18. Examples of Barriers to Communication
 Giving Reassurance  “I wouldn’t worry about
that if I were you.”
 Better: “We will work
on that together”
 “I don’t want to hear
about it.”
 Rejecting
 “I think you should take
 Giving Advice
your medication.
 Better “What do you
think would be best?”

19. Examples of Barriers to Communication
 Approving or  “That’s good. I am happy
Disapproving you did that.”
 “That’s bad. You
shouldn’t do that.”
 Agreeing or Disagreeing  “That’s right. I agree.”
 “That’s wrong. I
disagree.”
 Making stereotyped
 “Keep you chin up.”
comments
 Asking “Why” questions.  “Why are you crying?”

20. Professional Communication
 Shift reporting
 Record keeping and documentation
 Presentations and publication

21. Nurses
relating vital
information
about patients
at the change
of a hospital
shift. The
nurse on the
left is going
home. The
nurse on the
Shift Reporting
right is
starting work.

22. A patient
record
Accurate, c
onfidential
legal
document
Time, descrip
tion, signatur Record Keeping and
e Documentation

23. Professional
communicati
on is the basis
for life-long
learning
Presentations and Publications