CNA Communication Connection

The interaction of communication is to inform others or to receive information with the intent purpose that each one of us will accept and understand the messages given. We all have our different ways of communicating and must help one another to ensure the information is obtained. Effective communication is the key to providing the best safe care to our patients. As healthcare providers we must learn to be active listeners, give good eye contact, show respect and concern while building the trust of your patient to confide in you as needed. Remember I did say that as nursing assistances you are the eyes and ears for the nurses when you are with the patient. You are a vital part of the team. At this time while you are listening you are acting as a patient advocate making sure that the patients will receive the best possible care. Some patients feel more at ease with the nursing assistance then they do with nurses. They will open up about things they may not want to talk to the nurses about.

When you are talking with patients you must be non-judgmental, be careful of your facial expressions and your body language. Ones body language can set the tone for any communication. Be kind give a smile. A greeting of hello, or how are you, goes a long way. Always introduce your self upon entering the rooms. Give your title and explain what you will be doing. Your facial expressions can give away a multitude of feelings even when you think you are not doing it. Eye rolling and smirks are just some of what I mean. It takes time to gain trust and build a repoire, you make rounds throughout the day giving you the opportunity to build a dialect and connect with your patient.

Communication comes in many different formats. The spoken word. Not everyone speaks English so be prepared to be able to communicate in the language of the patient. Many facilities today have an interpreter on the premises or they may have an interpreter phone to assist with this. The interpreter phone lines I used when at work gave me the ability to understand someone who only spoke Urdu or Turkish. These phones can connect with thousands of languages from all over the world. I also made it a point to find out the key words from the family and kept them in my notebook. Key words like date of birth, pain, bathroom, food, water or even parts of the body. It shows that you care for the patient enough to understand them and communicate with them. I have had patients who are deaf and had staff members who did sign language. This service was also available on video screen call.

Whatever way in which you need to communicate always remember to give them the respect of privacy and complete eye contact. Speak to them not at them. Build the trust to give the best optimal care knowing that you are making a difference in their day.