Nursevillage.com - Career Resources : Nonverbal Communication

Before you sit down at your interviewer’s desk he or she has already formed an opinion of you. In fact, that opinion was probably made the instant you walked in the door. This may sound incredibly superficial, but unfortunately, it’s incredibly true. Communication experts agree, whether on a conscious or subconscious level, most self-expression is conveyed through nonverbal messages.

After research, social psychologists have found that 55% of a first impression is based on appearance (dress, grooming, body language, etc.), 38% is based on the way we sound (the tone and pitch of our voice, accent, etc.) and only 7% on what we actually say. And as a rule, people who look attractive are considered to be more likable and persuasive, and generally have more successful careers. Wow! If these facts don’t leave you asking yourself “ do I really you look as confident as I feel?” I don’t know what will.

Nonverbal Nursing
Nurses need to be aware that what they don’t say to patients is just as important as what they do say. If you appear unapproachable and have a tendency to scowl, patients will react negatively towards you, even if every word out of your mouth is friendly and positive. It’s important to be conscious of your body language and remember to smile once in awhile — the worldwide sign of friendliness and approval is a smile.

Think about it, if you are an RN in a hospital setting most of the people you care for are feeling very vulnerable. It’s a scary time in their life and they look to you for comfort. Be open and receptive in your posture and tone of voice, it will make a difference in the way patients respond to you.

The True Universal Language
Body language – everyone speaks it. Yet, we often overlook the importance of nonverbal communication. Here are some points you might want to keep in mind when communicating with others:

The most important zone to “read” for emotions is the face.
Eye contact may be the best indicator of a person’s involvement in a situation.
Avoiding eye contact can be interpreted as insincere, dishonest or tentative.
A smile can be seen from a football field away, approximately 300 feet.
Fidgeting hands can convey nervousness, and a tapping foot might indicate impatience.
Refrain from talking with your hands too much because it can be distracting.
Avoid limp handshakes — be firm but don’t use a death-grip.
A cheery tone of voice is welcomed and generally comes across as positive, while shouting or speaking fast can block communications

Watch and Learn…A lot
Remember even when we think we’re not communicating, we are. We are always saying something even when we are not saying a word. To see how this is true, follow this exercise: next time you walk onto your nursing unit, pretend you are there for your first interview. Put into your head that you have never met anyone there, take note of what your first impressions are of the people you work with every day. Then ask yourself, is this a place where you can do your best work? Does the unit clerk greet you with a smile? Do your fellow nurses seem approachable? Is your charge nurse accessible to her staff? Chances are their body language will tell you everything you need to know, or already do know, about the atmosphere of your floor.

You can put all of this information to work for you. Being more aware of your own and other’s nonverbal behavior can improve your work environment and your career mobility.