Nursing

LEARNING KEY SKILLS IN NURSING MANAGEMENT E-mail is particularly fraught with opportunities for misunderstanding. From the greeting (e.g., dear, hi, hello, or no salutation) to the sign-off (e.g., warm regards, best wishes, best, or no sign-off), the sender conveys more than the choice of words. A speedy reply is expected and en- courages a response, […]

Bureau of Standards Washington, D.C. Gentlemen: I have your letter of last week and am mightily glad you agree with me on the use of hydrochloric acid. Sincerely, Tom Brown, Plumber Mr. Tom Brown, Plumber Yourtown, U.S.A. Dear Mr. Brown: We wish to inform you we have your letter of last week and advise that

Distortion in Written Communication There is ample opportunity for distortion in the complicated process of sending, receiving, and responding to mes- sages, as demonstrated by the following correspondence between a plumber and an official of the National Bureau of Standards (Donaldson & Scannell, 1979). Bureau of Standards Washington, D.C. Gentlemen: I have been in the

Other common causes of distorted communication are: ● Using inadequate reasoning ● Using strong, judgmental words ● Speaking too fast or too slowly ● Using unfamiliar words ● Spending too much time on details Distortion also occurs when the recipient is busy or distracted, bases understanding on pre- vious unsatisfactory experience with the sender, or

Communicating Effectively 9 Key Terms Communication Diagonal communication Downward communication Fogging 1. Identify the factors that influence communication. 2. Discuss how communication can be distorted and misunderstood. 3. Choose which communication mode to use depending on the message and the relationship. 4. Explain how communication strategies vary according to the situation and those involved. 5.

Develop a plan to enhance your communication skills. The level of formality of the communication also affects the mode used. Applying for a position requires a written format even if the letter is e-mailed rather than mailed. The relation- ship between the sender and receiver also affects the mode. If a staff nurse, for example,

Improve your collaborative communication skills. E-mail is useful for information similar to that conveyed by voice mail and, like some voice mail systems, can be broadcast to large groups at once. The dates and times for a blood drive are a good example of a broadcast message. Conveying complicated information that may require thought before

Explain how communication strategies vary according to the situation and those involved. What mode to use depends on the level of intimacy required based on the person, your rela- tionship, and the message. The levels of intimacy, in descending order, are: ● in person ● by phone ● voice mail ● text ● e-mail ●

Choose which communication mode to use depending on the message and the relationship. Modes of Communication Messages may be oral (face-to-face, one-on-one, or in groups; by telephone, text, voice mail or posted on a social media site; or written (handwritten or typed) and sent by mail, e-mail, or fax. The purpose of the message determines