Introduction
Optimal patient care depends on effective nursing care. There are several techniques and competencies that a nurse should have so as to give effective care to patients. Effective care is beneficial to patients and their families. This paper will discuss the techniques utilized by nurses to meet the needs of patients.
Communication
Effective communication is among the techniques that promote optimal patient care. Effective communication may be described as the ability to accurately convey both technical and ordinary information. Effective communication enables a nurse to interact well with patients and other health professionals. Therapeutic communication involves touching, making eye contact, talking directly to the patient, giving time for questions, listening carefully, and responding appropriately to patient’s questions. This enables the nurse to establish rapport and earn the trust of the patient. Trust eases collection and sharing of important health information.
Information that may be shared includes adherence to medication, specific information about the disease, and prevention of the disease or health conduction. Generally, therapeutic communication may improve patient outcomes. Communication is an important aspect of patient care. Optimal patient care is often accomplished through team work. A nurse is a team member. Effective communication, therefore, enables a nurse to fit into the team.
Proper communication ensures that information is passed from one member of the team to another without distortion (Jennings, Scalzi, Rodgers & Keane, 2007; Potempa, 2002). Difficulty communicating with other health care professionals may negatively affect patients. Successful communication is a technique that is required by all professional nurses because nursing care revolves around the patient and not the disease. Information regarding emotional and physical changes accompanying the disease process should be shared freely between the patient and the nurse.
Problem solving
Problem solving is an important part of patient care. A nurse is subjected to a variety of situations each day. Each situation is unique and requires a different solution. Two situations that share the same solution are rarely encountered. A successful nurse is equipped with appropriate problem solving techniques. Critical thinking is an example of a problem solving technique. Some situations require quick and accurate decisions to be made. For instance, problem solving is of utmost importance in an emergency. During routine care, situations may arise that require judgment of the nurse. This technique enables a nurse to prioritize needs of the patient.
A nurse should also be an effective teacher. Health education is among the most important aspects of nursing care. Health education may make the difference between readmission and good health. Patient education involves empowering the patient to make better and informed choices. This is important because it enables the patients to be in control of their health care.
Safety
Ability to guarantee safety for both self and the patient is another important technique required by a nurse (Day & Smith, 2007). This refers to both physical safety and infection prevention. A nurse should ensure that all team members do not get hurt while providing care. However, each member of the team should ensure their own safety and that of other team members. It is important to note that patient safety should also be guaranteed at the same time. The nurse should always ensure that no cross infection occurs in the hospital.
Conclusion
This paper discussed some nursing care techniques utilized so as to meet patient needs. Some of the techniques required include effective communication, team work and collaboration, problem solving skills, and leadership skills.
References
Day, L., & Smith, E. (2007). Integrating Quality and Safety into Clinical Teaching in the Acute Care Setting. Nursing Outlook, 55, 138-143.
Jennings, B., Scalzi, C., Rodgers, J., & Keane, A. (2007). Differentiating Nursing Leadership and Management Competencies. Nursing Outlook, 55, 169-175.
Potempa, K. (2002). Finding the Courage to Lead: The Oregon Experience. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 26(4), 9-15.