Effective Communication in Nursing: 7 Tips for Nurses
Effective communication in nursing can prevent accidents, ensure proper teamwork, and make your shifts run more smoothly. Whether it’s giving handoff to the next shift or educating patients about their health, learning how to communicate effectively in nursing can make you a better clinician.
Are you a strong communicator? This is one of the most valuable skills a nurse can have, and it can shape the trajectory of your entire career. Nurses who communicate clearly, confidently, and compassionately can find solutions to problems, build goodwill amongst team members, and seek continuous improvement.
Whether you’re advocating for a patient, collaborating with providers, or mentoring a new hire, strong communication sets you apart. It can open doors to leadership roles, teaching positions, or advanced practice, and it plays a key role in navigating workplace challenges with professionalism and poise.
Why Is Effective Communication in Nursing Essential?
Picture this: During a hectic shift change on a telemetry unit, a nurse gives a rushed verbal report to the oncoming nurse, mentioning that Mr. Lewis was “a little confused earlier but settled now.” The incoming nurse assumes it’s mild post-op disorientation and doesn’t prioritize reassessing him.
Hours later, Mr. Lewis is found on the floor with a head injury — he’d been increasingly agitated and at high fall risk, something the night nurse had meant to emphasize but didn’t clearly communicate. What may sound like a small misunderstanding can have serious consequences.
Modern medicine is complex. High-quality care requires collaboration between nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, physical therapists, family members, and many others. And when information isn’t shared properly, harm can result.
- 70% of adverse events are thought to relate to communication errors.
- 30% of malpractice claims include communication failures.
- 67% of communication errors occur during shift handoffs.
Benefits of Effective Communication in Nursing
It’s clear that miscommunications can harm patients. But what are the outcomes of communicating effectively in nursing? When clinicians communicate properly, patients experience fewer care delays and higher safety. Let’s imagine the scenario above if communication had not broken down at shift change.
If the outgoing nurse had communicated Mr. Lewis’s confusion and subsequent risk for falls, the new nurse may have put him on a bed alarm and asked the nursing assistant to check on him more regularly. The nurse may have also communicated his increased confusion with the attending provider, who likely would have ordered additional testing to evaluate his altered mental status.
With better communication amongst staff, Mr. Lewis’s stay may not have been lengthened by a fall at all. You can protect your patients from mistakes by reinforcing your communication skills.
3 Elements of Effective Communication in Nursing
Being a great communicator starts with understanding how other people receive information from you. These are the three main types of communication:
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, and even posture. A reassuring tone and steady eye contact can calm an anxious patient. On the flip side, crossed arms, lack of eye contact, or a hurried demeanor can make patients and colleagues feel dismissed. Being aware of your nonverbal signals helps build trust and clarity in your interactions.
Verbal Communication
Information that’s communicated through speech is verbal communication. In nursing, it’s best to reinforce verbal communication with written documentation. For example, during shift report, you might use a guide sheet alongside a verbal handoff. Bonus points for documenting handoff in the electronic health record (EHR).
Written Communication
Written communication includes documentation in the EHR, notes left for other team members, or formal reports and policies. Clear and accurate documentation is essential for patient safety and continuity of care. When documenting, stick to objective facts, use standardized terminology, and avoid abbreviations that could be misinterpreted. Remember, if it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.
7 Tips to Practice Effective Communication Skills in Nursing
Looking for ways to promote effective communication in nursing leadership or practice? Use our top tips below.
1. Structure Routine Communication
Frameworks like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) can improve clarity and reduce errors, especially during high-stakes communication like handoffs or provider calls. Regular team meetings may benefit from an agenda. These tools create a standardized flow of information and can help ensure that information isn’t forgotten.
2. Slow Down While Sharing Critical Information
It’s tempting to rush through report at the end of a shift or during a transfer, but critical information deserves a pause. Take a moment to collect yourself if the environment is hectic. Seek a quiet place, slow down, and make sure the listener is fully present. A calm, thorough handoff can prevent missed details that lead to safety events.
3. Write Down Essential Information
Memory isn’t foolproof, especially on a hectic shift. Writing down key details — like new medications, abnormal lab results, or pending tasks — can help ensure nothing falls through the cracks. When remembering something for yourself, try using a brain sheet. If it’s information that may be needed by others, be sure to record it in the EHR.
4. Be an Active Listener
Being a good communicator starts with being a good listener. Ask clarifying questions. Make eye contact, nod to show understanding, and avoid interrupting. Summarizing or repeating back key information helps confirm understanding and shows respect, whether you’re listening to a patient’s concern or a colleague’s update.
5. Work on Emotional Intelligence
Being aware of your own emotions and those of others can help you respond calmly and compassionately, even under pressure. How do you keep your cool when a patient is yelling or a coworker is upset? Working on your emotional intelligence improves teamwork, reduces conflict, and fosters patient trust.
6. Tailor Communication for Others
Communicating clearly starts with meeting people where they are. For example, when speaking to an elderly patient about their diagnosis, you will likely use different vocabulary and teaching methods than when communicating with another nurse. If a patient’s emotions are heightened, don’t expect them to be able to remember complex information. Stay attuned to your listener’s needs so you can address any issues early.
7. Be Open to Communication from Others
Stay open to feedback from coworkers, whether it’s about your handoff technique, delegation style, or tone during a busy shift. Invite input from nursing assistants and other team members. Openness creates a culture of trust, where communication flows both ways — and that benefits everyone.
Find a New Opportunity to Practice Effective Communication
In nursing, there are always new ways to grow your skills and your career. If you’re seeking a new job, we can help. Learn about personalized job notifications that alert you to roles that match your skills, location, and schedule needs.