Updated content 10/24/2024
Every individual who has spent time in a hospital or medical facility or knows someone who has heard stories about the amazing and compassionate nurses on staff who developed real connections with their patients. Unfortunately, there are also stories about nurses who fail to form relationships with their patients because they are focused on clocking in and out.
As a nurse, you are often positioned to significantly impact a patient’s experience at a hospital or medical facility, whether receiving ongoing care or visiting for the first time. Forming genuine connections with your patients can help them feel more at ease and boost their confidence in the care they receive. Continue reading to discover East Ohio College’s (EOC) top five tips for assisting nurses to build genuine connections with their patients.
1. Stay Focused On Them
As a nurse, you must be able to balance your responsibilities with taking care of your patients. Nurses wear many hats and often have a large workload at any given time. Because of this, it can be challenging to stay focused entirely on your patients. Taking a moment to clear your mind before entering a patient’s room can help you avoid interacting with patients while distracted by other tasks.
By giving all of your attention to your current patient and their needs, you show them that you are dedicated to helping them heal and providing them with a positive experience at your facility.
2. Utilize Body Language
Body language is often the first thing a person notices about you, which is no different for patients. A comforting smile can go a long way toward making your patient feel at ease. Maintaining eye contact while your patient is speaking or explaining medical procedures is also essential.
Some patients can feel intimidated and confused while staying in a medical facility. Still, you can show compassion, commitment, and empathy by utilizing positive body language.
3. Be Empathetic
Many patients find a visit to a hospital or medical facility scary and lonely, and they can feel anxious and disconnected from the outside world. By practicing empathy and asking your patients questions about themselves, their families, and their lives, you can make them feel heard and build a connection with them.
Be sure to allow yourself time to complete your necessary tasks. Still, prioritizing listening to your patients’ stories can also help them feel less isolated during their stay.
4. Share Your Own Stories
Suppose your patient has been in your hospital for an extended period or is anticipated to stay longer. In that case, you can enhance their comfort by sharing updates on local news or personal anecdotes. Getting to know them better can also provide insight into what might lift their spirits during challenging times, whether it’s a humorous tale about your pet or news of a new business opening. These little connections can significantly contribute to fostering a stronger relationship with your patient.
5. Advocate For Them
By building connections with their patients, nurses see them as people rather than medical cases. This allows nurses to better advocate for their patients by suggesting care plans and educating them when necessary. The nurse’s role in patient advocacy includes protecting patients’ autonomy, safety, and preferences when making medical decisions.
Can You See Yourself As A Nurse?
A nurse’s responsibility extends beyond caring for the ill; it also includes building solid connections with their patients. If you can picture yourself as a nurse, building relationships and providing excellent patient care, enrolling in one of East Ohio College’s Nursing programs could be a good fit for you!
EOC offers a residential Nursing program based at the East Ohio College campus in East Liverpool, Ohio, and an online/hybrid Nursing program in Youngstown that allows students to take courses virtually and attend labs and clinicals at regional medical facilities. EOC’s nursing training programs teach future nurses essential nursing skills with hands-on experience while preparing them to sit for the NCLEX-RN* licensure exam.
If you are ready to start working toward a rewarding career as a nurse, contact our admissions team by Requesting Information!
*Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is required to become a Registered Nurse.