Assignment Prompt & Instructions
Please respond to the following response:
Introduction
My name is Hannah Southard, and I live in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. I currently work as a bedside labor and delivery registered nurse and serve as a relief charge nurse one to two days per week. In this role, I communicate constantly with both staff and patients, which has helped me understand how communication functions differently depending on the relationship. My future goals include completing my Master of Healthcare Administration degree and continuing to grow in leadership roles where I can improve staff engagement and patient outcomes.
I have often been described as an over communicator in a positive way. I have found that when staff understand what is happening on the unit and patients understand what is happening in their care, there is more trust, better teamwork, and improved work ethic. This has shaped my perspective on effective communication in both leadership and patient care settings.
Part II: Leadership Communication Versus Patient Communication
Effective communication between leaders and employees and between health care professionals and patients share several core characteristics. These include clarity, transparency, active listening, empathy, and consistency. In both scenarios, communication should be two way and tailored to the audience. When communication is clear and supportive, it fosters trust and improves collaboration.
In my role as a relief charge nurse, I frequently communicate with staff about assignments, patient acuity, and workflow changes. When I explain why decisions are made, such as adjusting assignments due to a high risk patient or an emergency cesarean section, staff are more understanding and willing to help. Similarly, when caring for laboring patients, I explain interventions and the reasoning behind them. For example, when repositioning a patient for fetal heart rate decelerations, I explain what I am doing and why. Patients often feel calmer and more confident when they understand the plan of care.
Research supports this approach. Effective clinician patient communication improves trust and engagement, which can positively influence outcomes (Asan et al., 2021). Similarly, leadership communication competence has been shown to increase employee satisfaction and motivation (Madlock, 2008). These findings align with my experience that communication improves both staff performance and patient cooperation.
Although the core principles are similar, communication should differ based on the relationship. Communication between leaders and employees often focuses on operational coordination, performance expectations, and team collaboration. It may involve shared decision making and more technical terminology. In contrast, communication with patients should prioritize education, reassurance, and emotional support.
For example, when speaking with nurses about a category II fetal tracing, I may use clinical language and discuss interventions quickly. However, when speaking with the patient, I simplify the explanation and focus on reassurance. This adjustment ensures that information is appropriate for the audience and promotes understanding.
Barriers exist in both scenarios. In leadership communication, barriers may include workload demands, time constraints, and unclear expectations. In patient communication, barriers often include anxiety, health literacy differences, and environmental distractions. Labor and delivery presents unique challenges, as patients may be in pain or distressed, making it difficult for them to process information. Similarly, busy shifts can limit the time available for staff updates.
Ineffective communication can lead to significant risks in both relationships. Poor communication between leaders and employees may result in decreased morale, confusion, and reduced teamwork. In patient care, ineffective communication can increase anxiety, reduce trust, and negatively impact adherence to treatment plans. Communication failures in health care have been linked to adverse events, highlighting the importance of clear and consistent messaging.
From my experience, when staff are not informed about changes, teamwork suffers. Likewise, when patients do not understand what is happening, anxiety increases. Over communicating, when done appropriately, helps reduce these risks by ensuring everyone involved understands the situation.
Effective communication is essential in both leadership and patient care. While the goals differ, the principles of clarity, empathy, and transparency remain the same. In my role as a bedside labor and delivery nurse and relief charge nurse, I use communication to support staff and educate patients. By adapting communication to each audience, I can promote teamwork, improve patient satisfaction, and enhance outcomes.
References
Asan, O., Yu, Z., & Crotty, B. H. (2021). How clinician-patient communication affects trust in health information sources: Temporal trends from a national cross-sectional survey. PloS One, 16(2), e0247583. https://doi-org.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/10.1371/journal.pone.0247583
Madlock, P. E. (2008). The Link between Leadership Style, Communicator Competence, and Employee Satisfaction. Journal of Business Communication, 45(1), 61–78. https://doi-org.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/10.1177/0021943607309351