Nurses' communication abilities significantly impact their capacity to function autonomously and as members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Proficient communication with patients is integral, and potentially prevents patient harm. Similarly, suboptimal communication among team members impedes collaboration, handoffs, and delegation of responsibilities. According to the Joint Commission, up to 70% of adverse events in healthcare settings are attributable to communication breakdowns, with 60% directly resulting from failed communication (Dingley, et al 2008).

As newly licensed nurses (NLNs) transition into practice, they often lack effective communication skills (Reeves & Sands, 2019). Graduate nurses find themselves orienting themselves in fast-paced, high-stress units and assigned to increasingly complex patients. The nursing professional development (NPD) practitioner can play an essential role in developing NLN’s ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with interdisciplinary team members.

A 2017 study by Woodruff (2017) revealed that 42% of NLNs (n=62) experienced discomfort when communicating with physicians, while 29% believed their knowledge deficits could potentially jeopardize patient well-being. Ineffective team communication cultivates an environment of disharmony and incivility, leaving NLNs feeling unsupported by their peers. This lack of support undermines their confidence in communicating with physicians and appropriately delegating tasks to nursing assistants, which can directly contribute to adverse patient outcomes. Furthermore, perceived peer incivility fosters a sense of isolation and self-doubt among NLNs regarding their capabilities. When staff members are unwilling to guide NLNs through unfamiliar situations and procedures, they struggle to communicate effectively with patients and physicians. Physical exhaustion, mental stress, fear of committing errors, and uncertainty in decision-making exacerbate these communication challenges (Liang, et al, 2018).

To foster the development of NLNs' communication skills and professional identity, NPD practitioners should implement mentored activities that model effective communication strategies. Simulated clinical experiences provide a safe environment for NLNs to practice and refine their communication skills. Moreover, preceptors require specific training on cultivating effective communication skills in NLNs during orientation. Nurse fellowship programs should also incorporate targeted training on enhancing communication proficiency to bolster NLN confidence. Simulation offers NPD practitioners a non-threatening strategy to promote effective communication among newly licensed nurses.

Li et al. (2018) conducted a study in which nurses participated in a simulation experience involving the observation of videos demonstrating communication techniques and engagement in scenario-based simulations. The findings indicated a significant enhancement in communication ability, self-efficacy, and empathy among the nurses who underwent the simulation experiences. Similarly, preceptors can serve as role models for effective communication skills, thereby improving communication proficiency among newly graduated nurses. However, preceptor support for NLNs must be intentional and purposeful. As suggested by Alonso (2022), providing preceptors with training on effective communication skills can increase their ability to support NLNs in this regard.

References:

• Alonso, N. A., Porter, C. M., Graves, K., & Gordon, M. (2022). How nurse preceptors provide help to new nurses influences perceived relationship quality. Nurse Education Today, 115, 105420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105420
• Dingley C, Daugherty K, Derieg MK, Persing R. (2008). Improving Patient Safety Through Provider Communication Strategy Enhancements. In: Advances in Patient Safety: New Directions and Alternative Approaches (Vol. 3: Performance and Tools). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US), Rockville, MD.
• Li, J., Li, X., Gu, L., Zhang, R., Zhao, R., Cai, Q., Lu, Y., Wang, H., Meng, Q., & Wei, H. (2019). Effects of Simulation-Based Deliberate Practice on Nursing Students’ Communication, Empathy, and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(12), 681–689. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20191120-02
• Liang, H.-F., Lin, C.-C., & Wu, K.-M. (2018). Breaking through the dilemma of whether to continue nursing: Newly graduated nurses’ experiences of work challenges. Nurse Education Today, 67, 72–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.04.025
• Reeves, D. A., & Sands, H. (2019). Next Level Communication 24. Essentials of Neurosurgical Anesthesia & Critical Care: Strategies for Prevention, Early Detection, and Successful Management of Perioperative Complications, 157.
• Woodruff, D. W. (2017). The relationship between trained preceptors' knowledge and skills and student nurses' academic success (Doctoral dissertation, Capella University).