Essentials of Nursing Communication, 1st Edition
by Joy V. Goldsmith, PhD, Elaine Wittenberg, PhD, Chiahui Chen, PhD, MS, RN, FNP-BC and Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, MSN, RN, FPCN
Paperback
ISBN:
9780443235153
Copyright:
2027
Publication Date:
03-24-2026
Page Count:
302
Imprint:
Elsevier
List Price:
$85.99
Build your skills in communication with a scientific, competency-based approach! Essentials of Nursing Communication helps you gain communication knowledge and develop observable communication skills/behaviors in nursing. This text goes beyond an anecdotal, “soft skills” approach to communication. It integrates the COMFORT model with the concepts and domains of the 2021 AACN Essentials, covering key topics like professionalism, DEI, and person-centered care. Standards and learning objectives for undergraduate nurse communication training are scaffolded across chapters, implementing the gold-standard approach to competency-based learning to help you communicate effectively in today’s nursing practice.
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- The four concepts in the 2021 AACN Essentials are integrated throughout the text, covering communication, clinical judgment, compassionate care, and diversity/equity/inclusion; the 10 domains are also included
- Essentials Spotlight graphics depict the junction of the Essentials domains with communication science and related skills
- The COMFORT model — a model created, researched, and applied by the authors — focuses on nurse communication in healthcare, with this acronym standing for: Connect, Options, Making meaning, Family caregivers, Openings, Relating, and Team
- Theory at Work directly applies theory to communication dynamics and challenges in actual nursing contexts
- Communicate with COMFORT integrates the COMFORT model into chapters across the text, linking communication science to the clinical communication practices of the nurse
- Communication Matters Across the Four Spheres of Care describes nursing communication in these four areas: Wellness and Disease Prevention, Chronic Disease Care, Regenerative/Restorative Care, and Hospice/Palliative Care
- Nurse Forward highlights the voices and stories of nurses advancing the field of nursing, elevating the role of the nurse as well as opportunities in leadership
- Self-care content includes reflections from nurses and nursing students
- Learning features reinforce chapter objectives with key terms, competencies, critical thinking engagements, boxed features/callouts, and charts/diagrams
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SECTION I Communication and Person-Centered Care
1 Defining and Understanding Communication in Nursing
Communication as Essential in Nursing
Three Communication Axioms and How They Impact You
Nursing Student Well-Being
Chapter Summary
2 Science Versus Anecdote
Why “Good” Communication Leaves Us Wanting to Know More
A Communication Model for Nursing: COMFORT
Connecting Your Communication to the Spheres of Care
Chapter Summary
3 Relationship With the Patient
Defining Relationship in Nursing Care
Interpersonal Communication and Nursing
Communication Competence: What Is Included?
Chapter Summary
4 A Patient’s Story
Empathy, Compassion, and the Difference
Person-Centered Messages
The Essential Importance of a Patient’s Story
Chapter Summary
Resources
SECTION II Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
5 Ethical Communication
The Essentialness of Ethics in Nurse Communication
Ethical Humility in Nursing
Ethical Dilemmas and Dialectical Tensions
Moving From Moral Distress to Moral Resilience
Chapter Summary
Resources
6 Cultural Humility
A Culture-Centered Approach to Communication in Nursing
The Nurse’s Agency/The Patient’s Agency
Cultural Humility Versus Cultural Competency
Chapter Summary
Resources
7 Health Literacy
Understanding Health Literacy
Self-Discovery in Action: You and Health Literacy
Cultural Knowledge and Health Literacy Responses
Nurse Communication That Optimizes Health Literacy
Chapter Summary
Resources
8 Bearing Witness
A Sense of Humanity in Illness
Bearing Witness
Nonverbal Communication
Listening
Mindful Communication
Your Own Suffering
Chapter Summary
Resources
9 Communication and a Culture of Safety
How Does an Organization Create Its Own Culture?
A Culture of Safety
Groupthink, Teams, and Safety
How Groupthink Manifests
Chapter Summary
Resources
SECTION III Family and Nurse Communication
10 Communication and the Patient’s Family
Situating Family in Healthcare
Family Caregiver Communication Typology
Assessing Family Caregiver Communication
Collaborating With the Family Caregiver
Chapter Summary
Resources
11 Communicating With the Family Caregiver in Complex Disease
Family-Centered Care
Vulnerable Family Caregivers
Care Coordination
Long-Distance Caregiving
Collaborating With the Caregiver
Essentials for Collaborating and Connecting With the Family Caregiver
Chapter Summary
Resources
12 Communicating About Patient Prognosis
Diagnosis and Prognosis
Importance of Prognosis Communication: Three Illness Journeys
Two Approaches to Prognosis Communication: What You May Encounter
Prognosis Communication Toolkit
Chapter Summary
Resources
SECTION IV Professionalism and Collaboration
13 Communicating About Transitions in Care
Communicating Care Transitions: Openings
Boundaries and Openings
Communication Strategies for Openings
Chapter Summary
Resources
14 Communication and Goal-Concordant Care
Communicating Goals of Care
Communication Pathways for Nurses
Acknowledging Uncertainty in Illness
Trudy’s Goals of Care
Chapter Summary
Resources
15 Working on a Team
Team-Based Care: It’s Complicated!
Civility as a Professional Responsibility
Becoming a Nurse Leader
Chapter Summary
Resources
16 Evolving Channels of Communication in Nursing
Nursing and Changing Technologies
Communication Accommodation Theory
Inequities and Patient Technology Use
Bridging the Divide
Chapter Summary
Resources
Index
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Joy V. Goldsmith, PhD, Professor, Department of Communication and Film,University of Memphis, USA, Elaine Wittenberg, PhD, Professor, Health Communications,California State University-Los Angeles, USA, Chiahui Chen, PhD, MS, RN, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor, D'Youville University, USA and Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, MSN, RN, FPCN, Serious Illness Consultant, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA