9 Essential Communication Skills For New Nurse Leaders


Written By: Darby FaubionDarby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »»
RN, BSN, MBA

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any professional relationship. Nursing leaders must learn to navigate complex interactions with patients, their families, and team members. Mastering essential communication skills is vital for all nurse leaders, and new nurse leaders must be especially mindful of how to communicate with their teams. With that in mind, perhaps you wonder, “What are the essential communication skills for new nurse leaders?”

While there are many types of communication skills, in this article, I will share 9 essential communication skills for new nurse leaders. Once you identify necessary skills and understand their importance, you can be intentional about developing the skills, which will help you build stronger relationships with your team and the people you serve.



What Are The Essential Communication Skills For New Nurse Leaders?

(The following are the 9 essential communication skills for new nurse leaders.)


SKILL #1: Verbal Communication

Have you ever worked with someone who had difficulty getting their messages across clearly? It can leave you feeling frustrated and unsure, and in nursing, that can lead to dire consequences. Of all the essential communication skills for new nurse leaders, verbal communication is one of the most important. Nurse leaders must know how to relay information clearly and assertively to team members. Strong verbal communication skills help ensure everyone on the team is on the same page and reduce the risk of misunderstandings, which can lead to errors in care and increase risks to patient safety.


SKILL #2: Nonverbal Communication

When I was a teenager, I remember one of my adult family members saying, "The loudest things you say are not with spoken words." At the time, I did not realize the seriousness and truth of what she said, but today, I understand. There have been many times when someone said one thing to me, but their actions and their attitudes said something completely different.

Nurse leaders must pay careful attention to the way they act, which can set the tone for any interaction with teams. Nonverbal communication skills, including gestures, facial expressions, and body language, help reinforce the message of your verbal communication. Try being aware of the vibe your body language gives. Smile and show interest when others speak. These nonverbal communication skills could make a significant difference in how others perceive you and can impact the overall mood of the team and how well they work together.


SKILL #3: Presentation Skills

Nurse leaders are often responsible for conducting in-services and other training. As such, an essential communication skill for new nurse leaders is presentation skills. You may conduct training sessions for new staff or conduct professional development sessions for current employees. Nurse leaders also present patient case studies to colleagues and teams. Additionally, nurse leaders may share knowledge about new medications, equipment, or procedures. Therefore, presentation is a critical communication skill.


SKILL #4: Active Listening

I suppose the first time I heard the term “active listening” was in nursing school. Until that point, I assumed all listening was active. Active listening involves so much more than sitting quietly and allowing others to talk. Active listening requires being intentional, and it is an important communication skill for new nurse leaders.

A few strategies for demonstrating active listening include maintaining eye contact, paraphrasing, and summarizing, avoiding interruptions, and using nonverbal cues. For example, smiling and nodding to show empathy and understanding is one way of active listening. Making eye contact shows that you are engaged in the conversation. Also, provide feedback based on what you hear, which shows you value the other person’s input.


SKILL #5: Written Communication

As a nurse leader, having excellent written communication skills is essential. Whether you send emails to your team, document in patient charts, or compile data for a report, written communication reflects competence and professionalism. Writing clear and precise information in patient records ensures continuity of care by tracking patient progress and any changes in their status. Emails, memos, and reports help disseminate vital information to your team, helping you ensure everyone is aligned with procedures and protocols. Additionally, you may need to create educational materials for patient education or staff training, and your ability to communicate effectively through writing can help ensure the information is understood and easily retained.


SKILL #6: Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is another crucial communication skill for new nurse leaders to develop. Conflict resolution involves the exchange of information, negotiating solutions, and expressing emotions. Having strong conflict resolution skills is important for nurse leaders because effective conflict resolution helps promote and maintain a positive work environment, enhances team collaboration, and encourages open communication.

When nurse leaders effectively handle conflicts transparently and fairly, it builds respect and trust among team members, which leads to higher rates of job satisfaction and improved work motivation. Also, addressing conflicts appropriately helps prevent them from escalating into bigger issues which could negatively impact patient care and disrupt the work environment.


SKILL #7: Cultural Competence

Cultural competence refers to our ability to understand and respect the values, beliefs, and attitudes of people who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Cultural competence in nursing is essential, especially for nurse leaders, as it relates to our ability to demonstrate cultural awareness toward patients and staff. Demonstrating cultural competence in communication helps nursing leaders foster inclusive work environments and inspires professional development.

I learned to appreciate the importance of cultural competence in nursing leadership years ago when I worked at a large university hospital. I worked alongside doctors, nurses, medical school residents, and nursing students from all over the world. I witnessed firsthand the difference it makes when you respect cultural differences and recognize others for their uniqueness. As a nurse leader, you can use cultural competence to contribute to the development of policies that are inclusive and considerate of diverse staff and patient populations.


SKILL #8: Knowing How to Provide Constructive Feedback

I once worked with a nurse manager who seemed to make it her daily goal to embarrass or tear someone down, especially in front of others. Her lack of concern for how others felt made it hard to keep nurses willing to work on her team.

As a nurse leader, you must oversee the work of nurses on your team, and communicating in a way that builds others up instead of tearing them down is essential. Constructive feedback holds staff accountable for their actions, which promotes adherence to professional standards and individual responsibility. It also helps staff understand their strengths and acknowledge areas where improvement could be beneficial. Honest, constructive feedback also fosters respect and trust between nurse leaders and team members, which supports a collaborative and supportive work environment.


SKILL #9: Information Sharing Through Technology

When I first began my nursing career, nursing notes, physicians' orders, and any other communication were handwritten. As technology has advanced, we now use electronic health records and telehealth platforms to communicate and share information. Technology facilitates communication within healthcare teams, making it possible to ensure clear and timely information exchanges. Therefore, the ability to use technology to share information is a vital communication skill for nurse leaders.



My Final Thoughts


As a new nurse leader, there are many things to learn to help navigate the complexities of healthcare and lead your teams successfully. One of the most important things you can do is develop strong communication skills. In this article, we discussed the answer to a question many new nurse leaders have: “What are the essential communication skills for new nurse leaders?” When you develop the 9 essential communication skills for new nurse leaders discussed in this article, you can foster a positive work environment, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and improve outcomes for patients and your teams.



List Of Sources Used For This Article


1. “What Is Conflict Resolution in Nursing? (with Examples, Stages, Types, & Importance)” (nursingprocess.org)
2. “What Is Cultural Competence in Nursing? (with Examples, Importance, & Barriers)” (nursingprocess.org)
3. “How Technology Is Changing the Nursing Industry” (American Nurses Association)


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.