PRACTICAL WRITING: REPORTS AND FORMAL LETTERS - Assignment Example

Interpersonal communication is fundamental in effective nursing. This starts from the point of understanding that nursing is a collaborative career, and it inter-depends on information from patients and other sources that provides a chronological account of the patient (BALZER, 2008). Conversely, nurses are all agents of communication. They hold the power to comprehend and to be understood. Nursing as a profession offers the nurses a responsibility to communicate efficiently and convey all the essential information in an accurate and professional way.

This study establishes that, communication breakdown in nursing practice is immensely attributed to performance breakdown. Despite the fact that, nurses are required to be social to the patients, it is essential to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate social interactions (BALZER, 2008). This sustains the professional ethics and gap between the nurse and the patient. For better understanding of the fundamentals of effective communication in nursing profession, first consider the following diagram of communication nursing pathway or concept.

The communication concept consists of nursing care, sub-concepts, outcomes, interrelated concepts, antecedents and attributes. Diagram of the Nursing pathway communication Courtesy of BALZER-RILEY, J. W. (2008). Communication in nursing. St. Louis, Mo, Mosby/Elsevier From the communication concept above, communication in nursing profession is fundamental in either nursing, since it influences the general performance positively or negatively (BALZER, 2008). Effective communication results to patient advocacy, patient satisfaction, patient education and shared meaning.

However, breakdown in communication can lead to anger, safety issues and non-therapeutic response by nurse. Patient advocacy Nurses are obliged to encourage the patients on their conditions or illness. It is fundamental for clear communication between the patient and the nurse. When the nurse is sure of the patient’s illness or condition, communication on the next step should be made in the most honest manner. The nurses are not allowed to promise what they are not able to deliver to the patients (BALZER, 2008).

It is essential to keep promises to patients. This study establishes that, when promises made are attained, the patients motivated and they remain optimistic that their conditions will change. This is an example of a positive outcome attributed to effective communication. However, if the nurses decided to make false promises, the expected outcome is negative. This is because the patient will not trust the nurse and may end up keeping some secrets about the condition, resulting to dissatisfaction, anger and miscommunication.

This study establishes that patient advocacy is possible in an environment where there is effective communication between the nurse and the patient (BALZER, 2008). This implies that, the nurse can only advocate for a condition well explained and supported by chronological account of the patient. This must be guided by utmost good faith, the principle of honesty. Nurse-Patient satisfaction Satisfaction of patients is not inclined to healing of a disease or a patient recovering from a condition.

A patient can be satisfied if handled well, attended to and communication with the nurse is effective in such a way that, the information provided is used as the key to find a remedy to