Communication is vital in any human interaction and is fundamental in all areas of healthcare and social care. Nursing associates must be good listeners, as this is the key to good communication. Chapter 2 in this text explores communication in great depth. Simple and concise communication with colleagues is all vital as is legible writing of patient records, handling feedback, recording, reporting and monitoring care. Nursing associates work within an interdisciplinary and multi‐agency environment. They work in teams and must be effective communicators to provide continuity of care. What’s more, because we live in a multicultural society, it is essential that patients are communicated with in a language that they understand.
Touch Point
Simple and concise communication with colleagues is all vital as is legible writing of patient records, handling feedback, recording, reporting and monitoring care.
Courage
It has been said that courage is the most admired of the virtues, that cowardice is despised and that bravery is esteemed (Comte‐Sponville 2002). Courage represents an essential nursing vision of the 6Cs developed by Cummings & Bennet (2012). Subsequently, in the Leading Change, Adding Value framework, Cummings (2016) states, ‘we know that compassionate care delivered with courage, commitment and skill is our highest priority’. Nursing associates are accountable for their actions and have a duty of care to their patients. Nurses must be courageous and do what they think is right and must be bold enough to confront the fear of difficulties. They often must stand by what they believe, even if others do not like it. Peate (2015) advises that healthcare and social care staff should be courageous and:
Do the right thing
When things are wrong, speak up and question
Be influential: when cynics are around, face up to them
Be open to those who may challenge you
Be brave and make things happen, be innovative
Lead by example
Do not give up
(Peate 2015, p. 218)
Commitment
Nursing associates should possess a high level of commitment to their role. The role is highly demanding, and a commitment to patients and populations is the foundation of what healthcare and social care professionals do. Alongside this, a commitment to colleagues through a unified direction to uphold quality care. Working in teams can be challenging, but teams need a commitment to work together across disciplines in order to reach an integrated goal.
The public expectation is that healthcare and social care professionals can be relied on, trusted to do the right thing. Upholding professional standards and conduct outside of the workplace, being role models and maintaining one’s own health and well‐being all require a high degree of commitment. Alongside this, nursing associates must also demonstrate a commitment to the profession, upholding the many aspects of The Code (2018b).
Green Flag The code NMC
Supporting Evidence
The 6Cs, NHS leadership academy
https://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/6cs/
This website highlights Doctor Claire Price‐Dowd’s blog. As senior lead for evaluation and patient experience at the NHS Leadership Academy, she talks about the importance of the 6Cs in healthcare and social care.
Touch Points Revisited
The key elements of a therapeutic relationship can be described as respect for the person, receptivity which involves good listening skills, empathy and self‐awareness of one’s own skills and limitations.
Respect implies a recognition of the individual as they are, engaging in an open and non‐judgemental attitude to those in your care.
When we empathise, we actively express an awareness of what healthcare and social care feels like from the patient’s perspective.
Trust is critical in the nurse–patient relationship because often the individual is in a vulnerable position.
Clear attention to the individual and a genuine interest will help to establish a rapport.
People should be able to trust in the care that is delivered, and care should be timely, respectful and competently delivered, with the person at the core of all interactions.
Simple and concise communication with colleagues is all vital as is legible writing of patient records, handling feedback, recording, reporting and monitoring care.
References
1 Ballett, J. and Campling, P. (2011) Intelligent kindness: reforming the culture of healthcare, Glasgow: Bell and Brain LTD.
2 Comte‐Sponville, A. (2002) A short treatise on the great virtues: the uses of philosophy in everyday life, London: William Heineman.
3 Cummings, J. (2016) Leading change, adding value. A framework for nursing, midwifery and care staff, Leeds, UK: NHS England publications gateway approval number: 05247.
4 Cummings, J. and Bennett, V. (2012) Developing the culture of compassionate care: creating a new vision for nurses, midwives and care‐givers, Leeds, UK: NHS Commissioning Board, Department of Health, Crown copyright.
5 Department of Health. (2013) The Cavendish review: an independent review into healthcare and support workers in the NHS and social care settings, London: TSO.
6 Department of Health. (2015) Essence of care (2010) benchmarks for respect and dignity, London: DH. HMSO.
7 Dougherty, L., Lister, S. and West‐Oram, A. (2015) The Royal Marsden manual of clinical nursing procedures (9th edn), Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
8 Health and Social Care Information Centre. (2010) Dignity through action (vulnerable adults) resource 2: dignity workshop pack, London: Health and Social care Advisory Service.
9 Jones, N. (2019) The 6Cs, in Peate, I. (ed.) Learning to care. The nursing associate, London: Elsevier.
10 Meredith, S.J., Wagstaff, C.R.D.
