I was a member of a group for a graded assignment and there was a break down in communication as to who was responsible for proofreading, editing and submitting the final draft of the assignment. This breakdown in communication led to a disagreement with another group member which ended in the other group member leaving the group 3 days before the assignment was due. Using a thinker’s communication style I would approach the situation differently by communicating clearly what roles are required by each group member, asking for everyone’s input on the plan of action for completing the group work and communicating a clear and logical plan to get the assignment completed and submitted. I believe that ironing out every single detail about group member responsibilities and having a clear plan of action could have avoided the disagreement that occurred.

Communication is an important part of nursing practice. Through self-reflection, I am aware that I am a doer. This means that I can be result orientated at times. Therefore, I clash most with feelers. I know that I need to work on communicating in an empathetic way when I work alongside feelers. In the past, I have completed a group project with a feeler. The feeler was emotional about an aspect of the assignment based on their personal bias. Instead of being empathetic, I feel that I judged the classmate for their response. In the future, I will allow the feeler to vent and help trouble shoot issues as the occur to ensure crucial conversations are had and conflict resolution can occur.

I can relate to many times where I experienced communication not going as planned. This was seen with co-workers, with clients, with client families and with with student peers.
After going through this module, I felt that the ABCs of crucial conversations was a big aha take away for me to use as a new nurse.
Therefore, I will:
Agree, when views are shared.
Respectfully build upon something, if it is left out.
Compare the differing views, instead of criticizing and pointing out that someone is wrong in their thinking.

Effective communication styles and techniques are crucial in conversations and directly impact the care we provide to our patients as nurses. Sometimes, communication goes wrong due to a lack of information. Recognizing that team members have different communication styles, I would adapt my communication to be more inclusive and considerate of these styles. For example, I practice active listening by giving full attention to the speaker, acknowledging their points, and reflecting on what I heard. In addition, I establish a mutual purpose by aligning the team’s goals with the patient’s best interest. By collaboratively addressing concerns, we can develop more comprehensive and feasible treatment plans that genuinely consider the patient’s circumstances. This approach fosters a positive, respectful, and collaborative team environment, and most importantly, it ensures that our patients receive the best care possible.

During a shift at a long-term care home, a patient had a sudden change in condition, and due to unclear instructions, the new PSW misunderstood the necessary interventions, causing a delay in care. After learning about communication styles and crucial conversations, I would approach the situation differently by providing clear, concise instructions, confirming understanding by asking the PSW to repeat them, and adapting my communication style to be more supportive and detailed. Additionally, I would emphasize the mutual goal of patient safety, create a safe environment for the PSW to ask questions, and follow up to ensure the task is completed correctly.

During a team meeting at my consolidation placement at the Canadian Mental Health Association, I expressed concerns about a proposed intervention for a client, but my communication came across as confrontational, causing tension and defensiveness among team members. In hindsight, I would approach the situation differently by recognizing different communication styles and applying crucial conversations techniques. I would start by reaffirming our shared goal of optimal client care, present my concerns calmly and factually, and invite input from colleagues to foster a collaborative discussion. Creating a safe environment for open dialogue would ensure all team members feel heard and respected, leading to more productive and positive outcomes.

Once, I had a meeting at work to discuss a problem with a colleague, but it turned into an argument because we kept interrupting each other and didn’t listen well. After learning about different communication styles and crucial conversations, I would handle it differently. I would make sure we were both calm, listen without interrupting, and speak clearly and respectfully about my concerns. This way, we could both share our thoughts and find a solution together.

A nurse had been taking care of a patient with complex needs. The physician, who was new to the case, ordered a medication that the nurse knew the patient had had an adverse reaction to in the past. She was hesitant to question the physician’s order and instead administered the medication, leading to an avoidable adverse event for the patient.
The nurse could initiate an open dialogue with the physician, expressing her concerns about the medication order. This conversation should be fact-based, respectful, and focused on the patient’s safety.

The nurse while giving end of shift report described the care needs of a new resident in LTC . The resident was having difficulty in swallowing. He should be fed by an experienced PSW. At the supper time, a student PSW started feeding the resident and was unnoticed by staff. After some time, the resident started coughing and it was hard for him to breathe. The RN was called and she managed to clear the airway by back blows and abdominal thrusts. It shows that there was lack of communication between the PSW team and the student. They should inform the student of the new resident’s diagnosis and assure while taking report that everybody understood the care needs of the new resident. The communication between the teams should be clear, open and collaborative . It will foster a supportive and effective work environment and result in improved patient care.

I had recent had a situation where a coworker was in a position of being misunderstood by another peer. In response to her story I was trying to reiterate support of the situation, but she misinterpreted my supportive words as negative comments. I was trying to reword what happened, and show support for her. It did end up being resolved, but it took longer than anticipated and she was being overwhelmed with emotion at that time, which she realized later.
After learning about some different communication styles, I fell I could have been more effective with my communication if I had used the ABC’s of Crucial Conversations.

During a group assignment, we agreed to meet on Zoom at a specific time to delegate tasks and get started. However, one member, who initially agreed to the meeting time, did not show up. Those present proceeded to divide the tasks, and the absent member was assigned the remaining part. When we informed them of their task, they were upset about not having the opportunity to choose, even though the rest of us had selected our parts during the meeting. We explained politely that everyone present chose their sections and offered support if they were unhappy with their task, but the member stopped responding to messages in our group chat for several days. This lack of communication left us uncertain if they would complete their part. Near the assignment deadline, the member began expressing dissatisfaction and frustration with how the tasks were assigned. This situation caused unnecessary tension within the group and could have been avoided if the member had communicated properly and attended the meeting, ensuring smoother collaboration and preventing conflict.

During my consolidation, there was a time when I communicated with a team member about a patient’s care plan, but my message wasn’t clear. I assumed they understood the urgency of the situation, but they didn’t prioritize the task as expected, which caused a delay in the patient’s care. Looking back, I realized I didn’t tailor my communication to their style or clearly emphasize the importance of the task.
After learning about communication styles and crucial conversations, I would approach the situation differently by being more direct and ensuring clarity. I would use specific language to explain why the task is urgent and confirm their understanding by asking them to repeat the key points. Additionally, I would remain calm, respectful, and open to feedback, creating a two-way dialogue to prevent misunderstandings and improve collaboration.

During one of my clinical placements, I voiced concerns about a patient who appeared increasingly agitated and unsettled, suggesting that their care plan might need adjustments. Unfortunately, my input was overlooked, and the discussion moved on without addressing the issue. This left me feeling dismissed and worried that the patient’s needs were not fully considered. Reflecting on the situation, I realize that my approach could have been more impactful in ensuring my concerns were heard.

In the future, I would address such situations by applying effective communication techniques and strategies for crucial conversations. I would clearly articulate my observations and explain why they are significant, such as stating, “I’ve noticed the patient pacing more frequently and displaying signs of distress, which could indicate a need to re-evaluate their care plan.” I would also invite collaboration by asking for feedback or suggestions, such as, “Do you think there’s something we might adjust to better meet their needs?” This approach would help ensure that my concerns are taken seriously and that the patient’s care remains a priority.