THE ART OF COMMUNICATION IN NURSING AND HEALTH CARE
Raphael-Grimm T. New York, NY: Springer; 2015.
This book is a wonderful resource for health care providers working in a fast-paced clinical setting. Clinicians work in high-tech environments rich with expertise and research, informing evidence-based practice. However, an essential component of evidence-based practice is the patient's preferences, often referred to as the patient's voice. Clear communication enhances the patient's ability to participate and contribute to their care. Often, our efforts to communicate are challenged by complex systems and the fast-moving pace surrounding the patient-provider encounter. These encounters are often brief and always filled with information and emotion. Our ability to communicate effectively during these encounters is often the most challenging part of caring for patients.
This book guides readers through essential communication skills using techniques such as mindfulness. The author provides a conceptual framework for building effective relationships that are based on the principles of mindfulness as a method to construct strong, supportive, and therapeutic relationships. She reminds us that much healing occurs within every encounter. Central to the discussion of mindfulness is the concept of being present with patients, families, and colleagues. Mindfulness techniques help us self-monitor our own behaviors so that we can respond effectively to the needs of patients.
These principles are embedded in discussions of interpersonal effectiveness, described by the author as hope, empathy, and listening. The Mindful Process is depicted as the ability to focus on one state of mind at a time and move through the emotional, physical, and reasoned states to a state of wisdom using skills that can be applied in many clinical situations.
This state of mindfulness encourages the health care providers to operate with greater focus and attention. Suggestions include choosing words and expressions that communicate a desire to understand a patient's needs, wants, and desires. One chapter simply entitled "Words" suggests phases and techniques for therapeutic communication.
Clinical scenarios illustrate ways to communicate hope and bad news, express grief and empathy, and suggest methods that may be helpful with difficult encounters. The text consistently uses creative language and techniques to help clinicians communicate empathy using reflective skills such as mindfulness and listening.
CELEBRATING NURSES: A VISUAL HISTORY
Hallett C, Lynaugh J. Barron's Educational Series, Inc; 2010.
This narrative history of nursing is a provocative read, fitting for National Nurse's Week. The book reminds us of the rich history that defines our profession and the heroes who moved our practice forward, setting the stage for our modern nursing profession. It illustrates many stories of pioneering nurse leaders, beginning with early 19th-century nursing during wartime, with the work of Florence Nightingale and her role in the Crimean War in 1850. Photographs and stories elaborate on the life of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, and introduce surprising facts about poet Walt Whitman, who was a volunteer nurse in the Civil War.
The book chronicles the beginnings of the modern public health movement, fueled by germ theory and the quest of infection control. Other inspiring stories depict the life of Adelaide Nutting, the world's first professor of nursing at Columbia Teacher's College in New York and the influence of Edith Cavell, who was executed for helping allied soldiers escape from German occupation during World War I. Nursing's stories during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars are illustrated in remarkable detail. Individual chapters discuss the symbols of nursing, entitled Uniforms and Caps.
More than 200 illustrations portray nursing through historic black and white photographs as they guide the reader through historic times and places where nurses provided essential care. The antique photographs seamlessly transform to bright, vivid color pictures illustrating the emerging role of the advanced practice nurse working with new technology in contemporary hospitals. The book provides a visual and narrative reminder of our strong history and noble work.
The author has disclosed that she has no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this article.