Being a nurse is not just about medical knowledge or technical skills. Communication skills for nurses are just as important. Good communication helps you connect with patients, work smoothly with your team, and perform better in the OSCE exam.
Even experienced nurses can feel nervous when talking to patients or colleagues, especially in a new country like New Zealand. The good news is that communication is a skill you can learn, practice, and improve over time.
Here are the most important communication skills every international nurse should focus on, along with simple tips to improve them.
Active Listening
Listening carefully is one of the most important skills for a nurse. Patients often share information that is not written in charts, and missing this can affect care.
Tips to improve active listening:
- Look at the patient and show that you are paying attention.
- Repeat or summarize what the patient says to confirm understanding.
- Avoid interrupting; let the patient speak fully before responding.
Active listening shows patients that you care and helps prevent mistakes.
Speak Clearly and Simply
Even if you know a lot about nursing, unclear communication can confuse patients or colleagues. Using simple and clear language helps everyone understand you better.
Tips:
- Use short and simple sentences.
- Avoid complicated medical terms unless necessary.
- Speak slowly and clearly, especially if English is your second language.
Simple communication improves patient safety and builds trust with your team.
Show Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand how someone feels. Showing empathy makes patients feel safe, cared for, and comfortable.
Tips:
- Use phrases like, “I understand this is difficult for you.”
- Smile and speak in a calm, gentle tone.
- Treat patients with kindness; empathy is just as important as technical skills.
Empathy helps patients open up about their concerns and makes your care more effective.
Medical English
Confidence in medical English is essential for exams, documentation, and everyday nursing tasks in New Zealand.
Tips:
- Practice common phrases used in patient care.
- Read medical notes aloud to improve pronunciation and fluency.
- Participate in mock patient conversations to build confidence.
Using correct medical English ensures clear communication with patients and colleagues.
Respect Culture
New Zealand is a multicultural country, so understanding and respecting culture is very important. Cultural awareness improves communication and patient care.
Tips:
- Learn about local customs and healthcare expectations.
- Respect patient beliefs, traditions, and privacy.
- Ask politely if you are unsure about cultural practices.
Respecting culture helps you connect with patients and work well in diverse healthcare teams.
Team Communication
Nurses work closely with doctors, colleagues, and support staff. Clear communication with your team prevents errors and improves efficiency.
Tips:
- Give short and clear updates during handovers.
- Use structured methods like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation).
- Confirm instructions when receiving new tasks.
Strong team communication builds trust and ensures safe patient care.
How NIET Coaching Helps
NIET’s OSCE coaching for nurses helps you improve your communication and confidence. Our training focuses on developing strong Communication Skills for Nurses so you can perform well in exams and real-life practice.
Through structured practice, role-playing, and feedback, you can:
Speak English confidently in patient care and OSCE exams.
Communicate clearly with patients and healthcare team members.
Practice OSCE scenarios and reduce stress during the exam.
Good Communication Skills for Nurses not only help you succeed in the OSCE but also prepare you for working effectively in New Zealand’s healthcare system. With NIET coaching, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to excel as an international nurse.
Good communication is a key skill for nurses. It includes listening carefully, speaking clearly, showing empathy, respecting culture, and working well with your team.
With practice and support from OSCE coaching for nurses at NIET, you can gain confidence, communicate effectively, and succeed in your OSCE exam and nursing career in New Zealand.