Boost Your Nursing Skills: 10 Empathy-Driven Patient Care Tips

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It takes a certain personality type to become a nurse. Some might even say it’s a calling; an impulsive yearning to help those in pain and need. Empathy. Compassion. Understanding. These are the pillars that make a good nurse.

An article published a few years back in NursingStandard found that understanding personality types could assist nurses in how they perceive themselves and their colleagues in a workplace setting.

Most importantly, the review gave great insight into common personality types found in nursing practice. ISFJ (introvert, sensing, feeling, and judging) is one of 16 personality types identified on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Often described as quiet but friendly and responsible, these personality types are loyal and committed to their obligations. 

With these character traits wrapped into one, it’s no wonder nursing is the most trusted profession in the U.S. According to Gallup, about 78% of U.S. adults believe nurses have high honesty and ethical standards. 

Below, we’ll introduce 10 empathy-driven patient care skills every nurse needs.

1. Understanding Empathy in a Healthcare Setting

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When 17th-century physician William Osler coined the term “bedside manner,” he hoped students learned in the classroom and came into contact with patients. Today, his teachings are just as important.

Clinical Empathy

Clinical empathy is at the heart of patient-centric care. All too often, healthcare workers become desensitized to seeing sick and injured patients. This hinders the ability to offer proper care.

While penning clinical commentary on effective clinical empathy, student doctor Savannah Santiago noted that it requires a delicate balance. 

Fatigue and a heavy workload affect how you communicate and assess a patient. Empathizing with your patients translates into a better understanding of their concerns and taking a proactive approach to their care.

Effective Communication

A good relationship with patients starts with communication. When nurses empathize, it opens the door for the patient to feel heard and understood. Good communication helps you create an advanced health assessment.

Sometimes, they will let down their guard and their honesty could provide vital information needed to treat them. 

Also, avoid using clinical jargon when delivering good or bad news. Their emotional state won’t comprehend the overwhelming details you’re throwing at them.

2. Continuous Learning

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Lifelong learning instills a sense of achievement. As part of an international research project, UNESCO teamed up with Shanghai Open University to gauge the benefits of lifelong learning. While the study is ongoing, researchers found that lifelong learning bolsters autonomy and enhances quality of life.

For nurses, continuous learning means upskilling their career toolkit to unlock opportunities. Many choose to obtain their post-masters degree to pursue a specialized field in advanced practice nursing.

For instance, online post-master's FNP certificate programs qualify you as a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Registered nurses (RNs) often take this career pathway because of its in-demand status. 

Admission requirements for the online program are stringent. You must have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a 3.0 minimum GPA and an active RN license. Nursing students prefer doing online coursework due to the flexibility and affordability. Some online graduate nursing programs offer advancement for nurses with a master’s degree.  

Carson-Newman University, however, advises you to ensure the institution you are registered with is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

3. Communicating Using Active Listening

Hearing and listening are not the same thing. Being an active listener requires paying attention and acknowledging that person. It is also a part of being empathic.

It’s easier said than done. Show that you are listening, provide feedback and respond appropriately.

Non-Verbal Cues

The British Heart Foundation says paying attention to non-verbal cues is as important. Facial expression, tone of voice and gestures can tell you a lot.

For example, are they smiling? Are their arms crossed in a defensive stance? Constantly rubbing their eyes could be a sign of fatigue or indifference.

Eye Contact

Face-to-face conversation involves eye contact. The rule of thumb is to break eye contact every five seconds. When looking away, glance at the side or up, never down. 

Always ensure your posture is warm and inviting. Crossing your arms or legs appears defensive or closed off.

Never Interrupt

The worst thing you can do with a patient is interrupt them when speaking. It gives them the impression that what you are saying is more important.

When they pause, give them a second or two to continue.

4. Validate Your Patient’s Feelings

A lot of the time, patients complain that they don’t feel seen or heard. Validating their feelings and concerns lets them know you respect and understand them.

By validating someone’s feelings, Smiling Mind says you recognize and accept their emotions. The online resource suggests the following statements to express empathy:

• I can understand why you feel like that.

• I appreciate your honesty.

• I can tell this is very important to you.

Once you understand how the person is feeling, create a safe space for them to reflect on those emotions.

5. Respect Cultural Diversity

Nurse.com describes cultural competence as the bridge that fosters trust and respect for cultural differences. Nurses working in public health should be more attuned to cultural diversity and understand the various nuances. 

The publication adds that a culturally competent healthcare worker can provide personalized care to a community that faces disparities in accessing healthcare.

Case Study

The National Library of Medicine published a study on culturally tailored diabetes education programs targeted at Chinese Americans.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a diabetes self-management and education program in a support group setting. By developing culturally appropriate diabetes education programs, the study hoped to highlight the prevalence of diabetes among Chinese Americans.

Because of the targeted approach, high attendance and significant improvements in glycemic control and diabetes knowledge were reported. 

6. Express Genuine Interest

Nurses are in a fortunate position to make positive impacts on a patient’s experience. It’s easy to become distracted when the clock is ticking and you have an overwhelming workload.

Before interacting with a patient, take a second to put those thoughts aside to concentrate on the issue at hand. It shows that you’re dedicated to their care. Staying in an unfamiliar environment can be scary for many. A reassuring smile goes a long way in making them feel at ease.

Long shifts and staff shortages are easily a few ways to get you angry and despondent. However, taking the time to express interest during a conversation helps lighten the emotional burden for patients.

7. Involve Your Patient in the Treatment Process

Empowering patients leads to improved outcomes. They’re more likely to be invested in their treatment and be actively involved in the decision-making. 

Provide evidence-based information on their condition and urge them to do further research. Involve them in their care by coordinating and sharing follow-up appointments, progress monitoring, and treatment assessment.

The American Nurses Association advises encouraging open dialog with your patient, their family and caregivers. It builds trust and the accuracy of information passed to you. 

By actively engaging all involved parties in discussions, you’re inviting them to participate in the patient’s care.

8. Take Care of Your Well-Being

Self-care is often compared to a superfluous term thrown around on social media. For healthcare workers, it matters.

The pandemic may be gone and forgotten, but it’s very much evident for frontline workers. Nurses, especially, are bearing the brunt of the aftermath as burnout accounts for the majority of nurses leaving the profession.

As first responders, nurses must also care for themselves to provide quality patient care. Jennifer A. O’Neill, chief nursing officer at the Hospital for Special Surgery, tells Nurse Journal that nurses are advocates for their patients. They need to be emotionally and mentally available.

Maintaining a self-care routine can entail several factors. For O’Neill, self-care is walking 10,000 steps and working out thrice a week. Relaxation techniques like Raja yoga focus on controlling the mind through meditation. You could also incorporate self-kindness with a gratitude journal.

9. Be Mindful of Your Words

Kindness is not only an eight-letter word. It conveys empathy and understanding in your tone and body language.

Words bereft of kindness fall on deaf ears. Patients can instantly sense when you use dismissive or negative words. Rather, avoid language that stigmatizes.

Below are phrases to stay away from:

• Don’t overstate your qualifications

• Never offer your personal opinion

• Don’t make promises 

• Don’t speak freely

10. Be Receptive to Feedback

Nurses work in a collaborative environment. Your techniques may differ from that of your colleague. It doesn’t necessarily mean that one is better than the other.

Constructive feedback can be a valuable tool in helping you improve your skills. Nurses who have just entered the field shouldn’t take it personally but build resilience and confidence. 

It will count in your favor to be proactive and request feedback from your mentors and senior staff. When receiving constructive feedback, ask for specific examples to help you understand and find solutions to any issues.

As humans, it’s our nature to become defensive when we feel someone is attacking our work ethic or integrity. Try to avoid this negative emotion. Instead, stay calm and recognize the benefits of the critique.

You are inclined to question the feedback. Don’t. Rather, focus on understanding the person’s perspective and valuing their input. Sometimes we are our harshest critics and imposter syndrome can get the better of us as we start a medical career. Concentrate on your strengths and avoid being too hard on yourself or setting unrealistic expectations.

Whether feedback is negative or positive, it’s important to have a strong support network. Turn to your colleagues and experienced staff to help you navigate the hurdles and challenges that come with the job.

Family and friends make good sounding boards. They may see things from another point of view and offer further advice. Remember, constructive feedback isn’t offered with malice or bad intentions. Your superiors and mentors want to see you succeed and thrive.

Becoming a Nurse Isn't Just a Degree

There’s more to becoming a nurse than earning your degree or completing your clinical practice work. Personality type is integral to whether you’re a good fit or not. And yes, the answer is that empathy can be taught. Citing various research, The Conversation says reading can help develop empathy and allows you to experience situations different from your own and reflect on that experience.

Understanding empathy in a healthcare setting is key to a good nurse-patient relationship. Always use effective communication tools and empower your patients to educate themselves on their condition and course of treatment.

Over time, these 10 patient-driven empathy skills will be part of your DNA which will be passed down as valuable skills to other nurses.