NU420 Unit 3 Discussion Topic 2

One of the standards of a healthy work environment identified by Yoder-Wise is skilled
communication. The skill correlates with exemplary professional nursing practice, which is one
of the components of the Magnet Model (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2019). The
component encompasses everything that entails the nursing practice and is thus the nursing
profession’s true essence. Exemplary professional nursing practice entails a comprehensive
understanding of the nursing practice both as a dependent and independent healthcare function.
Communication skills are a key component of exemplary professional nursing practice. A
nurse must be proficient in communication skills, both oral and written, just the same way they
are proficient in their clinical skills (Yoder-Wise, 2019). Therefore, the exemplary professional
nursing practice encompasses skilled communication. A nurse cannot be said to be exemplary n
their practice if they are excellent in the clinical skills but fail at communication. It entails more
than the conveyance of information. It is a two-way interchange through which nurses think and
decide.
The culture of critical care in which nurses operate demands that these professionals
speak with authority and knowledge in relation to patient care. The creation of a safe work
environment requires that nurses prioritize the development of excellent communication skills. It
is within such an environment that nurses can offer exemplary professional nursing care. Their
communication skills will be at par with their clinical expertise. As such, communication skills
correlate with exemplary professional nursing practice. Paulo Freire said, “we cannot be truly
human apart from communication” (Barden & Cassidy, 2017). The same applies to nursing
practice. A nurse cannot be truly exceptional in their practice, apart from communication.

References

American Nurses Credentialing Center. (2019). Magnet model. Retrieved from
https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/magnet/magnet-model/
Barden, C., & Cassidy, L. (2017). AACN Standards for Healthy Work Environments: After
More Than a Decade, Where Are We Now?.
Yoder-Wise, P. (2019). Workforce engagement through collective action and governance.
In Leading and managing in nursing (7th ed.)(p.248). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.