The Significance of Communication in the Nursing Workplace

The Significance of Communication in the Nursing Workplace

Good communication is important in any workplace, but it is especially important in a medical setting, where the cost of failures of communication could mean the difference between life and death. Good nurses understand this and put a lot of effort into maintaining open channels of communication with doctors, co-workers, administrators and, most importantly, patients.

Communication With Doctors

• Because doctors are responsible for diagnosis and nurses are responsible for most administration of medications and testing, the communication between these two groups is critically important for the health and safety of the patient. Nurses need to understand exactly what doctors are requesting and how to deliver these things to the patient in a safe and professional manner. This requires not only a thorough understanding of the medical issues involved, but also an ability to communicate effectively and to understand and act on the requests of other people.



Communicating With Co-workers

• Nurses frequently work together in medical settings ranging from emergency rooms to long-term care homes. The working world of the nurse requires the ability to multitask and to make decisions quickly and accurately in a fast-paced environment. Part of this skill involves receiving information from other nurses and passing information on as well. A confident team of nurses conveys information sufficiently so that they all understand patient needs and don't conflict with each other in their delivery of medical attention. Nurses may communicate with each other face-to-face, through patient charts or using the telephone or online communications. 



Communicating With Patients

• Most patients have little understanding of complex medical procedures.