Teamwork And Communication As A Nurse Leader

Effective communication is essential for a nurse in a leadership position. If a nurse is not able to convey or transfer pertinent information to other team members or clients, conflict or problems can arise. A nurse is able to effectively communicate through creating synergy, establishing a purpose or goal, actively listening, being truthful, and being responsible. When a nurse leader is able to successfully communicate, patient safety increases and medical errors decrease which leads to a higher percentage of positive patient outcomes. Effective communication fosters positive nurse-patient and nurse-team member relationships.

Courtenay, Nancarrow, and Dawson (2013) reviewed numerous articles that studied the effect of teamwork education (communication, cooperation, etc.) on the time and outcome of care. Courtenay et al. (2013) found that effective teamwork decreased the time necessary for critical treatments or surgery and also reduced the number of errors made. Courtenay et al. (2013) write that teams performed well when the responsibilities and role of each team member was known. Courtenay et al. (2013) also state that good teams shared an overall sense of mutual responsibility of the outcome of the patient.

Communication is a tool that nurse leaders should master to send information, perception, and understanding to achieve work activities and goals. Effective communication involves clear and direct messaging of thoughts and ideas. The three elements that leaders utilize when creating and enhancing effective communication are trust, respect, and empathy. For this paper, I will discuss some of the issues found in chapter seven’s critical thinking exercise. Nurse Olivia Witte, who is in charge of an interdisciplinary team, faces several issues regarding communicating with the organization’s physicians about a critical pathway development for ventilator-dependent patients, the dietician who wants to integrate dietary protocols for the pathway, and a home health care representative who is absent from meetings because of accreditation survey work.

effectiveness (Cioffi & Ferguson, 2009). Therefore, it is important to ensure that nurses who assume leader roles have the skills to manage and delegate tasks as required. There must be clearly defined roles and responsibilities for each team member that take into account the levels of expertise among the members. It can be troublesome when team members do not carry their share of the work. When this occurs, other team members take on an additional work burden to address the shortfalls in patient care. If the team leader is unable to provide clarity and direction for the team, the model will not be effective.

Communication in nursing is important in patient teaching, patient understanding, and patient care; it is important to have the ability to communicate with the healthcare team, the patient, and the patient’s

Throughout this communication course I have learned and attempted to apply new skills in communication and group interactions. I have collaborated with nursing and healthcare leadership professionals on a project to improve communication and health outcomes for a specific population. As our group has formed and developed during this quarter, I have identified strengths and weaknesses in my ability to work within a group. The four stages of a group, as described by Connery and Vohs (2006) will be discussed as they pertained to my perception of the group process and outcomes this quarter. My communication strengths, weaknesses, and my adoption of the informal roles outlined by Connery and Vohs (2006) with regard to group work will be analyzed as well as my plan for utilizing my strengths and addressing my weaknesses for future interactions and group work.

Detailed and timely communication among registered nurses (RNs) and other team members, leads to improved quality measures and outcomes. In fact, studies have shown that negative outcomes were often linked to communication errors. As such, safety, delegation, and quality of care are dependent on one another. In other words, effective teamwork among the nursing staff directly impacts overall employee satisfaction and staff morale which leads to positive patient outcomes.

In nursing profession, communication is one of the vital interprofessional collaboration competencies. A slack in communication gap will affect effective teamwork in providing efficient patient care delivery. Without integrated cooperation and effective communication, there will be a delinquency in the healthcare system, resulting in

On many occasions, I have seen situations in which effective communication involving the professional healthcare team played a vital role in the positive outcome of patient care. On the other hand, there have been miscommunication between the healthcare team resulting in situations that could have been tragic to the patient.

Teamwork is simply stated as less me and more we. With teamwork and collaboration, many wonderful things can be achieved especially in the healthcare profession. Anesthesiologists, CRNAs, surgeons, and O.R. nurses were interviewed regarding quality and importance of collaboration. Each profession rated 81-96% high for the importance of collaboration (Dellinger, 2016). The purpose of this paper is to discuss teamwork and collaboration and how it relates to knowledge, skills, and attitude. Also, how it’s integrated into education, nursing practice, and nursing research.

In this scenario the nurse is and can be faced with having to communicate with any given person on staff to ensure appropriate quality care. Being part of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and learning how to communicate effectively within this team and encourage others to do the same is one of the many vital responsibilities that a nurse must be able to handle well.

There are many skills, traits, and behaviors one must possess in order to be an effective leader. The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) has compiled a list of competencies and skills that nurse leaders should be proficient in. The five competency domains identified by AONE (2011) are “communication and relationship building, knowledge of health care environment, leadership skills, professionalism, and business skills” (p. 3). The competency domain I believe is essential for one to possess in order to be an effective executive nurse leader is communication and relationship building. The competencies AONE (2011) listed under the domain communication and relationship building are “effective communication, relationship management, influence of behavior, ability to work with diversity, shared decision-making, community involvement, medical staff relationship, and academic relationships” (p.3). I will discuss how Tom (nurse manager of a psychiatric unit) did not meet these specific characteristics under that domain.

It is important to work as a team with healthcare professionals so that way you provide the best care possible, get the job done right, and avoid errors (Elrick, 2016). In order to be a good team player you must communicate with your team of nurses, a miscommunication could put a patient 's life in danger. Being adaptable is also a big part in being a team player, especially when another nurse may need your help with a patient. Knowing what the plan for things like emergencies, and sticking to the plan will help things run smoothly and everyone working with you will know what is happening. Finally, getting to know who you are working with is a key part of being a team member because if you know how that person works, it will be easier for you to work with them.

Teamwork and communication are very important in providing good quality care, especially in the healthcare field. A team is described as a group of people that works together and cooperatively, between each member of the group to reach a common goal (Sullivan, 2013). For a team to function, communication is essential. A report by McKay and Crippen (2008), as stated by Alfaro-LeFevre, (2013) showed that when collaboration is in place, hospitals can decrease their mortality rate by 41%. When mortality rate is lower, hospitals does not only decreased cost, but it also means that patients are receiving good quality care.

An effective leader can create a working environment that satisfactorily supports the staff members so he or she can productively perform in his or hers’ assignments. The top three characteristics of an effective leader are the ability to communicate well, fairness to everyone on the team and are knowledgeable in his or hers’ field of practice. An effective leader must be able to communicate well with others to maintain and promote open communication among the team. When leaders deal with employee conflict, an effective leader is fair. These leaders motivate their nursing staff to work toward a greater good in creating a positive change (Dunham & Klafehn, 1990). An effective leader should be knowledgeable about his or her leadership role as well as those he or she is supervising.