6 Vital Guidelines for Improved Communication Skills: A New CNA’s Guide

When you have good communication skills, you can:

• Express your thoughts and ideas so they are understood
• Enjoy more meaningful interpersonal relationships in your life
• Receive promotions and advance your career
• Increase your self-esteem
• Be confident at work and at home
• Assist and influence others

Communication is not just about speaking and listening. It’s also about using your emotions and intuition. For example, if you love animals, you might have on a news program while you make dinner and not pay attention. But when a reporter presents a short piece about an animal shelter, you stop to listen, because you’re suddenly involved at a deep level.

Learning to communicate well is important for everyone. Research shows that people who can connect with others report higher life satisfaction. They have more happiness and hope in their daily lives.

Here are some tips to help you become a better communicator. You may be surprised to learn there’s more to it than you thought.

8 Guidelines for Improved Communication Skills: A New CNA’s Guide

1. 1

   Fit for life

   Take care of yourself.  When you “feel on top of the world,” you can do everything better! Eat a healthy diet, make time for regular exercise, and get enough sleep. When you feel well, you have energy to do the important things in your life.

   
   Regular walks and spending time in the open air improves your mood and health

   Working as a CNA can be stressful, leading to burnout if you don’t take care of yourself. Avoid it by finding a balance between your personal and professional duties. Look for humor and laughter in situations, at home and on the job. Humans are lucky, because when we laugh, our brains release hormones that help us relax and feel better. Find out more by watching this video:

2. 2

   Don’t just hear… Listen

   We hear people all the time, but are we listening? Ask yourself: how you would like others to listen to you?

   All successful communication requires good listening. Show the other person that you are paying attention by using proper body language. This means using eye contact and facial expressions to show interest. Stand or sit at the same level of the other person and avoid crossing your arms while they speak.

   Let the other person talk without interruption. Notice their tone of voice; it can add meaning to their words. Give them your full attention. Don’t try to form your own response or you may miss an important verbal or non-verbal cue.

   Everyone appreciates the chance to express themselves. We can all tell when the other person is truly listening and making a sincere effort to understand us, with respect and empathy. Remember the words of successful businessman and millionaire, Malcom Forbes: “The art of conversation lies in listening.”

3. 3

   Be open and honest

   The best communication is direct. We express our thoughts and opinions honestly, but also with empathy and respect. We don’t attack or humiliate another person.

   State the situation from your view, using an “I” statement. For example, if a co-worker hasn’t been answering call lights, you might say, “It’s hard for me when I have to stop and answer your call lights. I need to be able to focus on my patients. Can we talk about this?”

   Don’t gossip or talk about someone else. People may not have all the facts, or the information may not be true. Besides, it’s hurtful to the person involved. If you have an opinion on a topic, be tactful when sharing it. And always respect the opinions of others, even if you have to “agree to disagree.” Learn the simple steps of how to resolve a conflict; you’ll have a valuable skill to use in all situations.

4. 4

   Sometimes it’s what is not said

   Just as with active listening, developing good non-verbal skills can improve communication. Researchers have found that we use more non-verbal methods than actual speech when we communicate with others!

   We use words to give information. That’s verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is how we say the words that show our emotions and attitudes. Think of all the ways we can change the meaning of the word “no” just by our tone of voice. Add in our facial expressions and how we use our eyes, our gestures, our posture, how far away we stand…even how we dress is non-verbal communication.

   You already know how to communicate this way, and how to read the non-verbal messages that others send. You’ve been doing it since you were a baby. Keep paying attention and you’ll learn more. Use this information to help you accurately understand what other people are trying to “say.”

   Here is a short video guide that can tell you more about body language.

5. 5

   Grow self-esteem and self-confidence

   When we get discouraged, we can sometimes feel like we’re not as good as others. You already have many great qualities and strengths! Take time to list all the things you’ve learned and accomplished on your way to becoming a CNA. Consider all the people you love and have helped. And all the clients and co-workers who appreciate you.

   Self-esteem is knowing your worth and what you are capable of. It’s the highest form of self-respect. It affects how we think and behave. When we like ourselves, we’re not afraid to speak honestly and ask for what we need.

   Self-confidence is trust in our abilities and judgment. We set realistic goals and we face challenges without expecting to be perfect. We learn to take care of ourselves and not to let others dictate our lives. Because we’re open to new experiences and willing to work for what we want, we communicate directly to those around us.

   As you grow your self-esteem and self-confidence, be kind to yourself and have patience with the process. Here’s a short video to inspire you:

6. 6

   Share what you learn

   Good communicators know how to build rapport with others. The dictionary defines rapport as “a harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well.”

   When you’re able to use your skills to connect with others—family, friends, co-workers, or clients—you’re also able to build trust. You all have valuable information and ideas to share with each other. When you can speak and listen effectively, good things happen!

   When you frequent only one group of people, comes a time when you’ve said everything there is to say and listened to everyone else’s opinions many times over. It is time to spread your wings –without necessarily dropping your base sphere of influence. Meeting new people is always enriching, and proving yourself across various groups will validate everything you’ve been working for.

Final Thoughts

Modern communication comes in so many forms: phone calls, texts, emails, social media. But for healthcare professionals, face-to-face interactions and the personal aspect of providing care requires advanced skills in direct methods of communication. When we know we are doing the best for ourselves, our families, our clients, and our communities, everyone benefits.

About the Author

Winona Suzanne Ball

Nursing Adviser, RN | MHS, Governors State University, IL
Full member of the American Nurses Association. Learn more