What did the nurse do well in the interaction with Kate? Provide evidence from your classroom work and readings to support your observations. 2. What could the nurse have done differently to improve the interaction with Kate? Provide evidence from your classroom work and readings to support your recommendations. 3. Take 3 or 4 statements that the nurse used in her communication with Kate and reword them to make the communication more therapeutic.
1. In examining the interaction between the nurse and Kate, it is evident that the nurse displayed several commendable qualities. Firstly, the nurse actively listened to Kate’s concerns and demonstrated empathy throughout the conversation. This is essential in establishing a trusting and therapeutic relationship, as it allows the nurse to understand and genuinely connect with Kate’s feelings and experiences. According to classroom discussions and readings, active listening involves attentive and non-judgmental listening, as well as providing verbal and non-verbal cues to show interest and understanding (Bryant-Lukosius et al., 2004). In this interaction, the nurse maintained eye contact, nodded appropriately, and paraphrased Kate’s statements to ensure accurate understanding. By doing so, the nurse effectively validated Kate’s emotions and showed her that she was being heard.
Additionally, the nurse utilized open-ended questions to encourage Kate to express herself freely and openly. Open-ended questions promote conversation and client autonomy by allowing them to share their unique perspectives and feelings (Arnold & Boggs, 2019). By asking questions such as “Tell me more about what you’re experiencing,” the nurse encouraged Kate to elaborate on her concerns, enabling a deeper exploration of her thoughts and emotions. This approach aligns with classroom teachings on the importance of open-ended questioning in therapeutic communication.
Furthermore, the nurse provided reassurance and validation to Kate by acknowledging her feelings and acknowledging the difficulty of her situation. Feelings validation is a crucial aspect of therapeutic communication, as it helps establish trust and foster a sense of safety, leading to open and honest communication (Arnold & Boggs, 2019). The nurse’s statements such as “I understand that this is a challenging time for you” and “It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed in this situation” demonstrate her empathetic approach. These responses not only acknowledge Kate’s emotions but also normalize her experience, making her feel understood and supported.
2. While the nurse demonstrated several effective communication strategies, there are areas where improvement could enhance the interaction with Kate. One aspect that could be improved is the nurse’s use of therapeutic silence. While the nurse actively listened and provided verbal encouragement, incorporating appropriate periods of silence could have allowed Kate to reflect and further express her thoughts and concerns (Bryant-Lukosius et al., 2004). Therapeutic silence provides clients with the opportunity for self-reflection and can often lead to significant insights and breakthroughs (Arnold & Boggs, 2019). By consciously using silence, the nurse would have allowed Kate to process her emotions and share any additional information or concerns she may not have initially expressed.
Another suggestion for improvement is the nurse’s use of reflection. Reflective statements involve paraphrasing or summarizing the client’s words to demonstrate understanding and encourage further exploration of their thoughts and feelings (Bryant-Lukosius et al., 2004). Although the nurse paraphrased some of Kate’s statements, she missed opportunities to use reflection more frequently throughout the conversation. By reflecting Kate’s thoughts and emotions, the nurse could have supported her in gaining insights into her concerns and promoting a deeper understanding of her situation.
In addition, the nurse could have employed more open-ended questions to facilitate a more in-depth conversation. While the nurse did use some open-ended questions, utilizing them more frequently would have allowed Kate to provide more detailed information about her experiences and concerns. Open-ended questions promote exploration and can reveal crucial information that may not surface in response to closed-ended questions (Arnold & Boggs, 2019). By asking more open-ended questions, the nurse could have encouraged Kate to delve deeper into her thoughts and emotions, ultimately facilitating a more comprehensive assessment and understanding of her needs.
3. To make the communication more therapeutic, the nurse could reword some of the statements used in the interaction with Kate. For instance, instead of saying, “I understand what you’re going through,” the nurse could rephrase it as, “It sounds like you’re experiencing a challenging time. How does that feel for you?” This rewording allows the nurse to demonstrate empathy while also inviting Kate to express her feelings further. Another example is transforming the statement “Don’t worry, everything will be fine” into “I can see that you’re feeling worried. What specific concerns do you have?” This revised statement acknowledges Kate’s worry and encourages her to share her concerns explicitly. By rephrasing statements in this manner, the nurse would create a more therapeutic environment that promotes open communication and client-centered care.