Working as a registered nurse at Clinica Santa Maria in Santiago, Chile has given me profound experience in managing the nurse-patient relationship. A notable example was when I cared for a terminally ill patient who was reluctant to discuss their end-of-life care preferences. It required careful navigation of emotional and sensitive topics.
I initiated a calm, empathetic conversation, ensuring the patient that their thoughts and feelings were important and respected. Through active listening and empathetic communication, I facilitated a dialogue where the patient felt comfortable discussing their preferences. This discussion significantly improved the subsequent care planning, making it more aligned with the patient's wishes and improving their satisfaction.
Furthermore, this method of communication enhanced collaboration with my team, as it provided critical insights into the patient's wishes and expectations and how to meet them in our care delivery. This experience underscored the impact of good communication on the quality of care, patient satisfaction, and holistic healthcare delivery.