HeatherC2026

Support Families Through Clear Communication 1. Helping families understand their baby's care builds trust and confidence 2. Break down communication barriers so families feel informed, confident, and involved in their baby's care a. Use simple terms when explaining complex medical situations b. Avoid medical acronyms or terminology that may confuse families 3. Be present during interdisciplinary rounds to ensure consistent information is shared 4. Explain all care being provided during care times and encourage parents to participate when appropriate and ask questions Maintain Strong Team Communication 1. Effective collaboration among the care team ensures safe, coordinated care for NICU patients. a. Verify information given during handoff report for accuracy I. Reduces the risk of missed or incorrect information b. Review active orders along with the most recent progress notes c. Perform your own patient assessment to establish a baseline understanding of what is "normal" for your patient I. Promptly report changes in patient status to the provider Practice Active Listening 1. Listening is a key component of effective communication and helps build stronger relationships with families and coworkers. a. Listen without interrupting b. Recognize emotional cues from families and team members I. Respond calmly, respectfully and professionally Provide Organized Shift Handovers 1. Clear report supports continuity of care and patient safety 2. Ensure critical patient information is communicated clearly a. Identify priorities for the oncoming shift I. Prevents delay in patient care Support Professional Growth 1. Strong communication skills improve teamwork, job satisfaction, and leadership potential. a. Seek feedback and use it to improve practice I. Opens the door for future career advancement 2. Helps nurses voice their concerns to advocate for their patients a. Builds trust between bedside nurses and providers b. Promotes a cohesive and collaborative care team