Communicating Effectively

Good communication skills are vital for all nursing jobs.
A good conversationalist is polite and cares about other people.
He/she is well informed and could talk on a variety of subjects.
He/she can move the conversation through topics to suit the person or group participating in the conversation.
He/she includes other and does not monopolize the conversation.
He/she knows the value of eye contact and uses it consistently as he gives you quality attention.
He/she knows how to accept and pay compliments gracefully.
A skilled conversationalist understands that certain subjects are best avoided in casual conversation with people one doesn’t know well.
- Her health or that of other people

Controversial issues that could result in emotional differences of opinion, ex abortion, politics, religion
Stories in questionable taste, ex. Drunkenness behavior
Gossip that is harmful to people, personally or professionally
- Personal misfortunes
- A person’s age and income

More Communication Tips for Nurse Jobs

Working a Room

The art of small talk is regarded as an important business skill
Small talk should intrigue, delight, amuse, and fill up time pleasantly
It’s purpose is to put people at ease, not to teach, preach, or impress
People who appear at ease in conversation attract others to them like a magnet
Utilizing the “big 5 Ws” will make small talk easy: Who, What, When, Where, Why. They are the openings to sentences that will get you into a casual conversation with ease. “How” is another sentence opener: “How long have you been participating in Medical Explorers?”, “Where do you go to school and what is your major?”
Be sure to ask questions that are open ended, not questions that can be answered with just a “yes” or “no”
The questions should be relevant to the function you are attending

Art of Listening

The benefits of listening are:
You acknowledge others and often increase their self-esteem
You acknowledge yourself and learn a considerable amount about how you think and feel when you listen to yourself
You create a space for the release of tension and stress through the constructive sharing of thoughts and ideas
You earn respect and loyalty from those who work with you
You increase your ability to negotiate
Communicate that you are listening through gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and body language

Last Updated: 02/23/2013