Minimum Course Hours: 45

Course Description

Learners examine foundational knowledge of caring and professional communication in nursing. Using an experiential and self-reflective approach, learners will develop self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills in the context of safe, competent, and collaborative nursing practice. Topics include communication theory, therapeutic communication and relationships, cross-cultural communication and effective teamwork, cultural safety and cultural humility, and learning and teaching concepts. Learners will develop professional communication skills that promote the development, maintenance, and conclusion of therapeutic relationships with older adults, including those with chronic illnesses and/or mental health conditions, and clients requiring end-of-life care. Learners will also develop interprofessional communication knowledge and skills, including managing conflict and change.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Access to Practical Nursing Program

Corequisites: Professional Practice A; Integrated Nursing Practice A; Variations in Health A; Health Promotion A; Pharmacology A

Note: This course may be taught as an interprofessional course and/or by faculty other than those with a professional nursing qualification.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe how the current British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) LPN Professional Standards, Practice Standards, and Entry-Level Competencies guide professional communication with clients, families, and the interprofessional team.
   • 1.1 Explore the relevant documents that apply to professional nursing communication.
   • 1.2 Discuss how these documents inform professional nursing practice and communication.
2. Describe fundamental elements involved in the communication process.
   • 2.1 Discuss the basic elements of any interpersonal communication process: sender, receiver, message, and feedback.
   • 2.2 Describe common barriers to communication.
   • 2.3 Describe the characteristics of effective communication and factors that influence ineffective communication.
   • 2.4 Explore the difference between verbal and non-verbal communication.
   • 2.5 Identify concepts and nursing actions that promote listening skills (restating, reflecting, clarifying, summarizing, and empathy).
3. Discuss communication barriers and challenges as well as communication strategies to use with clients who have sensory, language, and/or cognitive differences.
   • 3.1 Describe how dementia affects a client’s ability to communicate.
   • 3.2 Identify strategies to effectively communicate with clients experiencing dementia.
   • 3.3 Demonstrate communication techniques used with clients experiencing dementia through applied practice (e.g., role plays, scenarios, case studies).
   • 3.4 Demonstrate effective communication skills during critical incidents through applied practice (e.g., role plays, scenarios, case studies).
4. Demonstrate communication skills that promote the development, maintenance, and conclusion of therapeutic relationships when caring for older adults, including those with chronic illnesses and/or mental health conditions.
   • 4.1 Demonstrate the ability to adjust communication appropriately for older adults through applied practice (e.g., role plays, scenarios, and case studies).
   • 4.2 Demonstrate effective active listening skills through applied practice (e.g., role plays, scenarios, and case studies).
   • 4.3 Demonstrate caring and respectful communication through applied practice (e.g., role plays, scenarios, and case studies).
5. Describe strategies for sharing information with clients and families in a respectful manner that is understandable, encourages discussion, and enhances participation in decision making.
   • 5.1 Identify strategies to increase client and family participation in decision making.
   • 5.2 Describe approaches to effectively communicate with clients, families, and team members in end‐of‐life care.
   • 5.3 Explain how to facilitate communication with clients, families, and team members experiencing loss and grieving.
6. Explore the principles of relational care with Indigenous Peoples, including communication approaches that are culturally safe, respectful, and compassionate.
   • 6.1 Use the BCCNM’s practice standard Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism to identify strategies that support person-led care.
   • 6.2 Reflect on how the nurse’s privileges, biases, values, belief structures, behaviours, and positions of power may impact their therapeutic relationship with Indigenous clients.
   • 6.3 Discuss the characteristics of culturally sensitive communication.
   • 6.4 Identify effective and culturally safe communication strategies with Indigenous clients, their families, and peers.
7. Explore the role of stigma when providing care, including the potential impacts of verbal and written stigmatizing language.
   • 7.1 Discuss how to communicate both verbally and in writing in a non-stigmatizing way in the context of caring for older adults, including those experiencing chronic illnesses and/or mental health conditions.
   • 7.2 Use self-reflection to determine one’s choices and patterns of communication.
8. Discuss the foundational competencies and specific communication skills that foster strong, effective interprofessional teams and collaborative practice.
   • 8.1 Identify effective group behaviours and development.
   • 8.2 Describe how information and communication technology is used to support effective client care in collaboration with other members of the health care team.
   • 8.3 Identify principles of effective teamwork communication.
   • 8.4 Discuss digital professionalism and appropriate methods for communicating through technology.
   • 8.5 Identify the appropriate team member to refer and report client information.
   • 8.6 Demonstrate use of various communication tools (e.g., Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation [SBAR] and end-of-shift report) through applied practice (e.g., role plays, scenarios, and case studies).
9. Practise giving and receiving effective feedback with other health team members, including communicating with unregulated care providers, through applied practice (e.g., role plays, scenarios, and case studies).
   • 9.1 Discuss the principles of giving and receiving feedback.
   • 9.2 Identify barriers to receiving feedback.
10. Describe communication approaches to delegating tasks to unregulated care providers.
    • 10.1 Review which tasks can be delegated to unregulated care providers and the parameters under which these tasks can be delegated.
    • 10.2 Explore the BCCNM documents that inform the ability of the licensed practical nurse to delegate to unregulated care providers.

Course Concepts

Course outcomes will be met through examination and exploration of the following:

• BCCNM LPN Professional Standards, Practice Standards, and documents that guide scope of practice
• Professional communication in health care
• Communication theory
• Self-awareness
• Attending and listening
• Caring and empathy
• Clarifying by questioning and summarizing
• Assertiveness: seeking help and support; refusing a request
• Trauma-informed communication
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Barriers to communication
• Conflict resolution
• Problem solving
• Foundations of relational practice
• Nurse-client relationship and boundaries
• Helping relationships
• Family as client
• Developing trusting relationships with clients and team members
• Therapeutic relationships and communication
• Cross-cultural communication, cultural safety, and cultural humility
• Caring and respect
• Effective group participation and development
• Interprofessional communication:
  • Communicating client information appropriately to health care team members
  • Using effective communication tools (e.g., SBAR)
  • Directing unregulated care providers with client care
  • Sharing knowledge with unregulated care providers and learners
  • Managing conflict
  • Managing change