Nursing

In the know: Carry effective communication skills throughout your career

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, March 2, 2009

No matter where your nursing career takes you, make sure you keep your communication skills sharp. Similar to clinical knowledge and skills, written and verbal communication abilities require practice, repetition, and reinforcement.

You can improve your writing in the following ways:

  • Consider taking a refresher course at a local college or a community center.
  • Many online programs have composition or writing courses. Take advantage if you can.
  • Colleges and universities have writing centers that are accessible to students, even part-time students. Use them.
  • Practice makes perfect. Volunteer to work on a unit-based project that requires using your writing skills. Ask for mentoring support from someone you trust.

And if you want to improve your oral or verbal communication expertise:

  • Seek coaching from a nurse leader or mentor.
  • Stay up to date so that what you have to say is accurate and articulate.
  • Seek knowledge and new information. Opinions are yours to carry, but use facts, knowledge, and comprehension to give power to your verbal skills.

Source: Stressed Out About Your Nursing Career, HCPro, Inc. 2008. Be sure to pick up your copy today!

 

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