Running Head: NV COMM 1

Nonverbal Communication in Nursing

Madison Lovette
Louisiana State University

Author Note:
This paper was prepared for English 2001 taught by Ms. Jean Coco for the purpose of
demonstrating nonverbal communication and the importance of it in the field of nursing.
NV COMM 4

Preface:
Focus is a +1, because I feel that I stayed on topic, but maybe not in line with what is
being specifically asked for. Organization is a +1, because I made focused paragraphs for each
body portion and tried to make the paragraphs flow into each other. Development is a -1, because
I dont think I am using the correct form of the examples being asked for or portraying them the
way that I need to. Audience awareness and voice I feel is a +2, because I made sure that anyone
who read this would be able to tell that it was written for a nursing student and my voice I feel is
also accurate for the audience I am targeting.
I feel as if my fourth paragraph works the best in the paper because it gives a strong
example that may effect the reader. I am worried that what I have written is not exactly what the
assignment is supposed to be. I am also worried that my examples are not elaborated enough or
that I did not develop my paragraphs correctly. Lastly, I am worried that my paper is not
organized the way it should be to get the information across that I am trying to present.

1.The field of nursing is complex and immersive in all aspects. One of the most important

aspects in a job as a nurse is to communicate effectively. Communication in nursing includes

verbal, nonverbal (or therapeutic), visual, and written. Verbal communication is the expression of

information through the use of language. Nonverbal, or therapeutic, communication is the use of

things like body language and touch to connect with someone. Visual communication is the use

of charts, graphs, pictures, or anything to look at to gain information. Written communication can

include nurses logs, pamphlets, or texts. The use of nonverbal communication is an important

and useful form of communication in nursing because it can do more than just express

information. Lester M. Sielski shares in his article Understanding Body Language, that Brill

(1973) perceives nonverbal communication as the basic, primitive form of conveying

information from one person to another. Through the observation of body language and the

utilization of physical touch, a nurse can evaluate the state of the patient, like if they are

confused or uncomfortable, or put a patient at ease by letting them know that you are there to

help. Nonverbal communication through the use of body language can be observed specifically
NV COMM 4

with the head, eyes, and hands. These certain areas are important in nonverbal communication in

evaluating and altering patient status.

2.In the article Body Language in Healthcare: A Contribution to Nursing

Communication, the eyes were highlighted in a study done to evaluate nurses interacting with

their patients. The article looked at the rate of eye contact between nurse and patient and also

included factors like comfortability with the rate. The research showed that nurses who help eye

contact with and without talking associated had more patients keep eye contact with them. The

nurses who looked away when talking had lower rates of eye contact on the patients end. This

information contributes to the fact that eye contact with patients is vital. A nurse who comes in

the room and does not even look the patient in the eyes will not have a patient who is interested

in what the nurse is saying or doing. The information also showed that nurses and patients were

more likely to not keep eye contact while talking, this may be due to the fact that the patient is

uncomfortable with the nurse or the nurse is looking down to read the information that he or she

is saying. Either way, the results of the study show that patients seem more interacted with the

nurses when eye contact is kept. The act of eye contact shows patients that the nurse is speaking

with the patient and not at the patient which is very important in the aspect of respect and

professionalism in nursing. The eyes are not just important for eye contact, they can also convey

emotions that the patient or nurse may not verbally express. Lester M. Sielski mentions in his

article that a wink can be a sign of affinity. Drooping of the eyes can express hardship, tiredness,

and worry, which are all signs that need to be paid attention to, to fully address the problems of

the patient and know the state of the nurse. Wide, open eyes can signify good news, excitement,

and/or happiness which are what nurses look to see in their patients and can indicate satisfaction.
NV COMM 3

Eye contact also leads to head movements which are equally as important for understanding and

acknowledgment.

3.The utilization of head movement can clearly convey attentiveness. Nodding can show

that the nurse or patient is understanding what is being said. Dropping of the head or leaning

back of the head could show that the nurse or patient is disturbed or discouraged by what is

going on or being said. Carole Anne Birdsall says in her article about empathy that nurses who

used head nodding while conversing with their patients performed better. This improved

performance was due to the fact that the patient was satisfied with the level of attention given to

them and the assurance that information was administered properly. The position of the head can

again show if the patient is comfortable or not. When the patient turns away they may be

avoiding seeing something that makes then uneasy, like getting a shot or their blood taken. When

the patients head is tilted it may indicate that they are confused or not interested in being there.

Maybe it was not the patients idea to be at the hospital and they are not listening to what you

have to say so they tilt their head as if they are resting or could possibly fall asleep. The patient

may be looking at the nurse straight forward and then a sudden tilt occurs, this can be seen as a

sign that the patient has no idea what the nurse said or that in the patients mind the information

does not add up. The head being straight forward as so keep eye contact will tell the nurse or

patient that he or she is listening and interested which can ensure clear communication. Along

with the use of head movement comes eye orientation and with both of these things comes the

act of touch.

4.Courtney Davis experiences the power of touch with a patient, Mrs. Cardiff, during her

work as a nursing student. Davis explains that the only true thing that impacted Mrs. Cardiff

during her stay was getting her feet washed by Davis. Though they exchanged no words, Davis
NV COMM 4

could sense the relaxing of Mrs. Cardiff during the times of washing her feet. The act of washing

Mrs. Cardiffs feet gave a lasting realization to Davis that touch, even without any words, can

keep patients hopeful and comfortable. Touch can convey empathy, compassion, and tenderness

to a patient in their times of need. Without the words, a nurse tells his or her patient I am here

for you and I am going to take care of you. The power of touch can heal patients. There may be

a patient who has lost all hope, until you express hope and support to them through even the

smallest contact like placing hand on hand. The influence that nurses have in the lives of their

patients is so important, they can be the difference between giving up and continuing to fight.

That choice can be made through the act of touch to show that the patient is not alone, that the

nurse is here for them and they will get through what they are facing. Nurses can also change a

patient through touch even if it is a clinic patient coming in for something minor. People go

through things silently and that one moment of physical touch may help them in more ways than

one would think.

5.Nonverbal communication may not be effective in all instances. There are pitfalls that

may prevent efficient communication. Tan Jla Xing Jasmine evaluated the gaps in

communication in nursing, One thing that she points out is that culture may create issues in

communication. For nonverbal communication, this may pertain to the fact that in certain

cultures it is seen as disrespectful for a woman to look a man in the eyes. In that case, the use of

eye contact for a means of communication would not be practical. While dealing with another

patient, his or her culture may outline that responses are to express verbally and that nodding is a

sign that the person is not really listening or interest. In this case, it may be difficult to know if

the patient is understanding what the nurse is saying because there is no indication that the

information is being clearly expressed. Another pitfall may be that nurses arent trained well
NV COMM 3

enough in nonverbal communication and they lack the discipline to use the form to care for their

patients.

Nursing incorporates many forms of communication and nonverbal is an essential form.

Through the use of nonverbal communication, nurses can calm a patient, relay information

clearly, adjust their composition to make the patient more comfortable through observation, and

many other things. All of these things can be done through the evaluation of nonverbal cues,

specifically body language. Nurses need to be thoroughly educated in all forms of

communication, with special attention on how to utilize nonverbal communication aspects.

NV COMM 4

Citations

Birdsall, C. (1991, January). Self-reported and patient-reported nonverbal communication and

empathy levels of nurses. Self-reported & Patient-reported Nonverbal Communication &
Empathy Levels of Nurses, 210 p.
Davis, C. (2009). Washing Mrs. Cardiffs Feet, The Heart's Truth: Essays on the Art of
Nursing. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press.
Jasmine, T. (2009). The use of effective therapeutic communication skills in nursing practice.
Singapore Nursing Journal, 36(1), 35-40.
Rezende RC, Oliveira RMP, Arajo STC, Guimares TCF, Esprito Santo FH, Porto IS. Body
language in health care: a contribution to nursing communication. Rev Bras Enferm.
2015;68(3):430-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167.2015680316i.
Sielski, L. M. (1979). Understanding Body Language. Personnel & Guidance Journal, 57(5),

238.