Collaboration in Shift Nursing: Building Effective Communication Among Teams

March 19, 2024
Blogs
Collaboration in Shift Nursing

Team effort and collaboration go hand in hand in the Healthcare sector. Collaboration in nursing teams is an integral part of building more effective healthcare systems. When collaboration in nursing teams is properly done, the quality of patient care improves, healthcare services are delivered more efficiently, and healthcare professionals experience better job satisfaction. So, in this blog, ‘Collaboration in Shift Nursing: Building Effective Communication Among Teams, the professionals at Xpress Health team, the top Northern Ireland nurses recruitment agency will help you find the strategies to boost collaboration and make effective communication among the team members. 

Strategies to Boost Collaboration in Nursing Teams

Let’s take a look at some of the best strategies that can help to boost collaboration in the Nursing Teams. They are  : 

Effective Communication:  

Communication is the key when it comes to the nursing team. You have to keep an honest and respectful communication within the teams. This is literally the bedrock of collaboration between the nursing teams. Keep in mind that having open and effective communication will help to resolve any issues with the team. They also help to build a culture of mutual understanding between the individuals. Unresolved tensions and or poor communication can lead to unresolved tensions within the team, which will hurt the companionship and camaraderie of the team.

Shared Goals:

 As you know, the primary goal of any healthcare team is to work towards common goals i.e., which is to provide high-quality patient care. Nurses who incorporate teamwork in their approach result in better patient responses and positive outcomes. Good teamwork unbiasedly helps to build professional relationships. With effective communication and collaboration, nurses will inspire each other to reach career goals. They also lead to strong interdisciplinary relationships. 

Continuing Education and Training:

Continuous educational programs and training opportunities make certain that nurses are up-to-date and have relevant knowledge and skills to give quality care to the patient. Regular training sessions often act as a team-building activity for nurses. And without a doubt, they can greatly improve the collaborative spirit among the nurses. This can be either training on technical skills or any soft skills like communication, leadership, and empathy.

Promotion of Mutual Respect: 

Mutual respect is everything and it’s not different for healthcare as well. For collaboration to be successful, especially in a healthcare setting, all members of the nursing team must respect each other’s abilities and contributions. People come from different backgrounds and they have different perspectives. It’s important to respect the other person and their opinion as well and disagree respectfully, It will help you in the long run. Recognizing and appreciating individual inputs will have a positive impact on a collaborative environment.

Benefits of Teamwork and Collaboration in Nursing

Nurses are the front-line providers of patient care. As you know, they are the first clinicians to recognize how patients respond to care and treatment such as whether their health is deteriorating or not. Nurses are an integral part of a multidisciplinary treating a patient. They coordinate care by communicating vital information with doctors and specialists as well. So, nurses need to hone their skill set, since their nature of duties forces professionals to work alongside each other. When collaboration is open and harmonious it can also result in : 

  1. Better Patient Care

Improved communication between nursing professionals will lead to better patient care and safety.  It helps to streamline duties and make the work experience a lot better for every member of the clinic/hospital.

Healthcare professionals are always trying to do their best, but accidents are bound to happen. A study revealed that about 25% of adverse events in healthcare settings were caused by miscommunication and ineffective teamwork. This is a figure that can be improved with better collaboration.

  1. Increased Job Satisfaction

There are many factors that contribute to the job satisfaction for nurses. Do you know, that a 2023 study found that the healthcare team with better and higher collaboration skills and less turnover have higher job satisfaction than those without?

When nurses feel supported and valued by their peers, they will be more comfortable in their jobs and fulfill their careers. 

  1. Sharpened Critical Thinking

Open conversation among team members helps to build a greater diversity of thoughts and expert perspectives from various types of nurses. Some team members may have spent years in surgical or general care, while others may have worked in geriatric or neonatal settings.

These diverse backgrounds can help you assist colleagues in learning nursing skills from one another while also improving patient satisfaction through various care practices. 

  1. Reduced Burnout Rate

Burnout is very real in healthcare professions. Effective nursing teamwork also means a better understanding and distribution of duties. This really helps when a team member is feeling overworked or overwhelmed.  Nurses point out burnout as a major factor for job dissatisfaction. It is also a top reason why many individuals resign from the profession. Also, sharing the responsibilities can also help the feelings and helps to maintain the passion for their careers as well. 

  1. Professional Growth Opportunities

Yes, teamwork and collaboration will help you to get professional growth opportunities. Building professional connections, gaining insights from colleagues, and collaborating with diverse healthcare professionals are valuable avenues for nurses to expand their knowledge and create opportunities in their careers. 

Besides, observing the practices of nurses in leadership positions and acquiring the skills to perform their responsibilities can serve as a smart and strategic approach to climbing the career ladder when such opportunities arise.

Choose Xpress Health for Your Agency Nursing Career 

Xpress Health, the top Nursing Agency Northern Ireland is your best choice for professionals seeking better career opportunities. We prioritize your career by offering a platform that values your skills and dedication. At Xpress Health, we understand the importance of your role, providing better experiences that reflect your career goals. We welcome you to experience smooth placement, competitive compensation, and be part of a supportive community. Make the smart choice for your agency nursing journey.