III. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: D. PRACTICING ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION Practice Initiating Conversations, Giving and Getting Information, Self-disclosing, Giving Constructive Criticism III. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: D. PRACTICING ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION

1. INITIATING CONVERSATIONS Important for nurses in order to develop effective working relationships with patients. INCORRECT APPROACH: Mrs. Jones walks into the patient’s room saying “Hi” in a cheery voice, looks around the room, adjusts the IV and then disappears. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS? CORRECT IT AND GIVE A BETTER APPROACH? Based on the the above situation the lack of conversation prevents both patient and nurse from planning the day together. It also makes the patient think that all the nurse is concerned with is the IV, not the person.

2. Giving and Getting Information CONCEPT: after initiating the conversation using open ended statements focus on detail. SITUATION: You hear in report that a patient has been up all night because of pain. You are making rounds and want to talk to the patient about this. Develop an assertive method of communicating with this patient:

3. Self-disclosing CONCEPT: This involves stating and sharing your own thoughts and feelings with others, providing information to others about yourself, using empathy ADVANTAGE: shows recognition of the patient’s feelings as important Example: “It’s painful to have gas in you abdomen. I know that is uncomfortable.” GIVE ANOTHER EXAMPLE:

4. GIVING CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM CONCEPT: Begin with “I message”. Balance both positive and negative thoughts, preferrably starting with the positive Convey caring, but that you want to see another behavior

GIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM in the following situation A nurse who consistently arrives late, but provides excellent nursing care

GIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM in the following situation A nurse who consistently leaves early, but provides excellent nursing care sIT

GIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM in the following situation A nurse who consistently forgets to document teaching but does excellent teaching to patients