Communication in
Nursing
Therapeutic vs. Nontherapeutic
Levels of Communication
Intrapersonal
 Interpersonal
 Transpersonal
 Small-Group
 Public

Basic Elements of Communication
Process
Referent
 Sender and Receiver
 Message
 Channels
 Feedback

Forms of Communication
Verbal
Vocabulary
 Denotative and Connotative Meaning
 Pacing
 Intonation
 Clarity and Brevity
 Timing and Relevance

Forms of Communication
Nonverbal
Personal Appearance
 Posture & Gait
 Facial Expressions
 Eye Contact
 Gestures
 Territoriality and Personal Space

Zones of Personal Space and
Touch
Intimate (0-18 inches)
 Personal (18 in to 4 ft)
 Social (4-12 ft)
 Public (over 12 feet)
 Social
 Consent
 Vulnerable
 Intimate

Professional Nursing
Relationships

Nurse-Patient Helping Relationships

Nurse-Family Relationships

Nurse-Health Care team Relationships

Nurse-Community Realtionships
Phases of the Helping
Relationship
Preinteraction Phase
 Orientation Phase
 Working Phase
 Termination Phase

Elements of Professional
Communication
Courtesy
 Use of Names
 Privacy and Confidentiality
 Trustworthiness
 Autonomy and Responsibility
 Assertiveness

Therapeutic Communication
Techniques
Active Listening (SOLER)
 Sharing Observations
 Shared Empathy
 Sharing Hope
 Sharing Humor
 Sharing Feelings
 Use of touch

Therapeutic Communication
Techniques
Using Silence
Asking Relevant Questions
Paraphrasing
Clarifying
Focusing
Summarizing
Self-Disclosure
Confrontation
Non-Therapeutic Communication
Techniques
Asking personal questions
 Giving personal opinions
 Changing the subject
 Automatic responses
 False Assurance
 Sympathy
 Asking for Explanations

Non-Therapeutic Communication
Techniques
Approval or Disapproval
 Defensive Responses
 Passive or Aggressive Responses
 Arguing

Special Needs Communication
Clients who cannot speak clearly (Aphasia,
Muteness)
 Clients who are cognitively impaired
 Clients who are unresponsive
 Language barriers
 Hearing Difficulties
 Children

Developmental Aspects of
Communication
Infants
 Toddlers & preschoolers
 School age children
 Adolescents
