Nurses’ views of fundamental relational skills used in clinical practice: a cross-sectional pilot study

What is your view do nurses need to know about communication to equip them to provide quality nursing care—top 5_

Communication and relational competencies for nurses as identified by the national nursing professional body	Top 5 ranked items
Communicating nursing information verbally and in writing	82.7% (n = 43)
Establishing effective professional relationships with clients and family/friends, nursing colleagues, and with other professionals/members of the health care team	80.8% (n = 42)
Assisting clients and groups to communicate needs and to make informed decisions	76.9% (n = 40)
Developing interpersonal and communication skills that are essential to the nurse	78.8% (n = 41)
Ensuring confidentiality in respect to records and interactions	75.0% (n = 39)

Nurses’ confidence with communication skills competencies in nursing practice (%, n)_

Communication and relational competencies for nurses as identified by the national nursing professional body	Not confident	Somewhat confident	Unsure	Confident	Very confident	Missing data
Integrating accurate and comprehensive knowledge of ethical principles, the Code of Professional Conduct and within the scope of professional nursing practice in the delivery of nursing practice	3.84%, 2	5.76%, 3	9.61%, 5	50%, 26	30.78%, 16	0%, 0
Being self-aware and exploring the impact of your personal feelings and values on your interactions with clients	1.92%, 1	15.38%, 8	11.53%, 6	40.38%, 21	30.76%, 16	0%, 0
Developing interpersonal and communication skills that are essential to the nurse	1.92%, 1	5.76%, 3	1.92%, 1	46.15%, 24	44.23%, 23	0%, 0
Communicating/interacting with different cultural and ethnic groups, people with disability/impairment, and different age groups	1.92%, 1	11.53%, 6	11.53%, 6	48.07%, 25	23.07%, 12	3.84%, 2
Responding appropriately to instances of unsafe or unprofessional practice	3.84%, 2	11.53%, 6	15.38%, 8	48.07%, 25	21.15%, 11	0%, 0
Using communication techniques in a therapeutic relationship	3.84%, 2	5.76%, 3	7.69%, 4	46.15%, 24	34.61%, 18	1.92%, 1
Establishing effective professional relationships with clients and family/friends, nursing colleagues, and with other professionals/members of the health care team	1.92%, 1	1.92%, 1	5.76%, 3	44.23%, 23	46.15%, 24	0%, 0
Communicating nursing information verbally and in writing.	1.92%, 1	1.92%, 1	3.84%, 2	36.53%, 19	55.76%, 29	0%, 0
Using information and communication systems and technology	1.92%, 1	11.53%, 6	17.30%, 9	42.30%, 22	26.92%, 14	0%, 0
Serving as an advocate for the rights of clients or groups	1.92%, 1	7.69%, 4	5.76%, 3	44.23%, 23	40.38%, 21	0%, 0
Ensuring confidentiality in respect to records and interactions	1.92%, 1	1.92%, 1	1.92%, 1	30.76%, 16	63.46%, 33	0%, 0
Practicing in a way that acknowledges the differences in beliefs and cultural practices of individuals/groups/communities	1.92%, 1	15.38%, 8	11.53%, 6	38.46%, 20	30.76%, 16	1.92%, 1
Reflecting on the usefulness of personal communication techniques	1.92%, 1	9.61%, 5	11.53%, 6	50%, 26	25%, 13	1.92%, 1
Conducting nursing care to ensure that your clients receive and understand relevant and current information concerning health care	1.92%, 1	5.76%, 3	3.84%, 2	44.23%, 23	44.23%, 23	0%, 0
Assisting clients and groups to communicate needs and to make informed decisions	1.92%, 1	3.84%, 2	9.61%, 5	46.15%, 24	38.46%, 20	0%, 0

What is the most essential communication skill for nursing?

Items	Percentage respondents (number)
Ability to listen/active Listening	23% (12)
Recognizing nonverbal cues	11.5% (6)
Empathy	9.6% (5)

What is your view do nurses need to know about communication to equip them to provide quality nursing care—lowest scoring items_

Communication and relational competencies for nurses as identified by the national nursing professional body	Percentage respondents (number)
Integrating accurate and comprehensive knowledge of ethical principles, the Code of Professional Conduct, and within the scope of professional nursing practice in the delivery of nursing practice	57.7% (30)
Using information and communication systems and technology	55.8% (29)

What is the communication skill that you mostly use in your nursing practice?

Items	Percentage respondents (number)
Ability to listen/active listening	9.6% (5)
Verbal communication	9.6% (5)
Empathy	5.7% (3)
Patience	5.7% (2)
Questioning	3.8% (2)