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Nurses’ views of fundamental relational skills used in clinical practice: a cross-sectional pilot study

Open Access
|Sep 2021

Figures & Tables

What is your view do nurses need to know about communication to equip them to provide quality nursing care—top 5_

Communication and relational competencies for nurses as identified by the national nursing professional bodyTop 5 ranked items
Communicating nursing information verbally and in writing82.7% (n = 43)
Establishing effective professional relationships with clients and family/friends, nursing colleagues, and with other professionals/members of the health care team80.8% (n = 42)
Assisting clients and groups to communicate needs and to make informed decisions76.9% (n = 40)
Developing interpersonal and communication skills that are essential to the nurse78.8% (n = 41)
Ensuring confidentiality in respect to records and interactions75.0% (n = 39)

Nurses’ confidence with communication skills competencies in nursing practice (%, n)_

Communication and relational competencies for nurses as identified by the national nursing professional bodyNot confidentSomewhat confidentUnsureConfidentVery confidentMissing data
Integrating accurate and comprehensive knowledge of ethical principles, the Code of Professional Conduct and within the scope of professional nursing practice in the delivery of nursing practice3.84%, 25.76%, 39.61%, 550%, 2630.78%, 160%, 0
Being self-aware and exploring the impact of your personal feelings and values on your interactions with clients1.92%, 115.38%, 811.53%, 640.38%, 2130.76%, 160%, 0
Developing interpersonal and communication skills that are essential to the nurse1.92%, 15.76%, 31.92%, 146.15%, 2444.23%, 230%, 0
Communicating/interacting with different cultural and ethnic groups, people with disability/impairment, and different age groups1.92%, 111.53%, 611.53%, 648.07%, 2523.07%, 123.84%, 2
Responding appropriately to instances of unsafe or unprofessional practice3.84%, 211.53%, 615.38%, 848.07%, 2521.15%, 110%, 0
Using communication techniques in a therapeutic relationship3.84%, 25.76%, 37.69%, 446.15%, 2434.61%, 181.92%, 1
Establishing effective professional relationships with clients and family/friends, nursing colleagues, and with other professionals/members of the health care team1.92%, 11.92%, 15.76%, 344.23%, 2346.15%, 240%, 0
Communicating nursing information verbally and in writing.1.92%, 11.92%, 13.84%, 236.53%, 1955.76%, 290%, 0
Using information and communication systems and technology1.92%, 111.53%, 617.30%, 942.30%, 2226.92%, 140%, 0
Serving as an advocate for the rights of clients or groups1.92%, 17.69%, 45.76%, 344.23%, 2340.38%, 210%, 0
Ensuring confidentiality in respect to records and interactions1.92%, 11.92%, 11.92%, 130.76%, 1663.46%, 330%, 0
Practicing in a way that acknowledges the differences in beliefs and cultural practices of individuals/groups/communities1.92%, 115.38%, 811.53%, 638.46%, 2030.76%, 161.92%, 1
Reflecting on the usefulness of personal communication techniques1.92%, 19.61%, 511.53%, 650%, 2625%, 131.92%, 1
Conducting nursing care to ensure that your clients receive and understand relevant and current information concerning health care1.92%, 15.76%, 33.84%, 244.23%, 2344.23%, 230%, 0
Assisting clients and groups to communicate needs and to make informed decisions1.92%, 13.84%, 29.61%, 546.15%, 2438.46%, 200%, 0

What is the most essential communication skill for nursing?

ItemsPercentage respondents (number)
Ability to listen/active Listening23% (12)
Recognizing nonverbal cues11.5% (6)
Empathy9.6% (5)

What is your view do nurses need to know about communication to equip them to provide quality nursing care—lowest scoring items_

Communication and relational competencies for nurses as identified by the national nursing professional bodyPercentage respondents (number)
Integrating accurate and comprehensive knowledge of ethical principles, the Code of Professional Conduct, and within the scope of professional nursing practice in the delivery of nursing practice57.7% (30)
Using information and communication systems and technology55.8% (29)

What is the communication skill that you mostly use in your nursing practice?

ItemsPercentage respondents (number)
Ability to listen/active listening9.6% (5)
Verbal communication9.6% (5)
Empathy5.7% (3)
Patience5.7% (2)
Questioning3.8% (2)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fon-2021-0023 | Journal eISSN: 2544-8994 | Journal ISSN: 2097-5368
Language: English
Page range: 223 - 232
Submitted on: Oct 3, 2020
Accepted on: Dec 21, 2020
Published on: Sep 21, 2021
Published by: Shanxi Medical Periodical Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2021 Fiona Timmins, Jan M. A. de Vries, Yvonne Muldowney, Catherine Mc Cabe, Jacqueline Whelan, Sinéad Buckley, Sandra McCarthy, published by Shanxi Medical Periodical Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.