Nursing language and communication

Abstract Effective communication is central to excellent nursing care, and the quality of communication between health professionals and service users has a direct impact on patient safety and well-being. Good communication is based on theoretical knowledge, personal values, and professional qualities, supported by an identifiable set of specific skills. Together, these represent a key domain of the values, standards, and competencies required to practise safely as a nurse, and to safeguard the interests of people receiving care, their families, and their carers. It is also important to consider how clinical communication has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. One enduring change has been a reduction in face-to-face clinical encounters, accompanied by an increase in remote consultations and the continued use of face masks—all creating barriers to interpersonal communication. This chapter considers the key theories of communication skills and behaviours and applies these to everyday nursing interactions.