As with any career in healthcare, a travel nurse needs to make communication with colleagues, patients and physicians a top priority. When working to blend in on a new assignment, you may need to implement some tricks to promote successful interactions. It's likely that you will have the opportunity to interact with co-workers from a variety of backgrounds on various jobs. When working with bilingual medical professionals, make sure that you are prepared to overcome any obstacles that you are faced with in terms of communication.
The importance of communicating
There are a number of reasons it's important that you have successful communication skills on travel nursing jobs. Not only does this help to ensure that you are properly expressing medical procedures and treatment options to patients, it can also play a major role in preparing the next round for what to expect. The Royal College of Nursing explains that successful interactions between nursing personnel leads to quality record keeping and the identification of patient progress via evaluation. Facilities that are struggling with communication among staff members can seek a multitude of methods for improvement.
Improving staff collaboration in healthcare
Depending on the current set up of your travel nursing assignment, there are different ways to implement better communication practices. In many cases, the best course of action may be to start using rounds as a time that the staff interacts more. Discharge rounds and those conducted by clinicians and other team members are ideal opportunities to update all individuals who are working with a patient. Additionally, it's important that RNs keep charts up-to-date and accurate. This is especially easy in facilities that have started using computerized documentation. When tablets and other electronic devices are introduced to healthcare staffing professionals, it's important that standards or guidelines are put in place.
Communicating with bilingual staff members
If you've ever treated a patient who speaks another language, there's a good chance you've had the opportunity to work with a bilingual RN. Those who are under your care need to feel comfortable and confident with the treatment they are receiving, making having someone they can communicate with vital. In the event you are having trouble explaining information to a patient and/or his or her family due to a language barrier, make sure to solicit the assistance of a colleague who can better address the situation. Maintaining communication with bilingual staff on travel nursing assignments can help you to provide more quality care.