Examination of Nursing Students’ Communication with Life Examples: A Mixed Method Study

Background: Individuals need to recognize and develop their communication skill levels for communication to be effective. Especially nurses are expected to have sufficient communication skills. Quality patient care is realized with sufficient communication skills.

Aim: This study aimed to examine nursing students’ communication with life examples. Nursing curriculum should be arranged in a way to develop these skills and this skill should be gained to nursing students.

Methods: This study was designed with a convergent parallel mixed method. The sample of the study consisted of 77 nursing students. The quantitative data were collected with the communication skills inventory to determine the level of communication skills of nursing students. Qualitative data were obtained by examining the communication designs, in which students re-animated their experiences with communication problems using effective communication methods and put them in writing. The data were evaluated by content analysis, numbers, and percentages.

Results: As a result of the study, it was determined that the overall communication skill level of the students was high (163 ± 13.0). As a result of the qualitative analysis, two themes, namely, ineffective communication methods and effective communication methods were created. When the experiences of students with communication problems were examined, the ineffective communication methods theme was obtained consisting of five categories. The categories were labeled as not empathizing, not listening effectively, observed negative behaviors, destructive communication, and interrupting the other party in the communication. When the documents of the students who rewrote their experiences using effective communication methods were examined, the effective communication methods theme was obtained from five categories. The categories were labeled as the empathic effect, observed positive behaviors, stimulating the other party in communication, listening and reflecting listening, and catalytic effect.

Conclusion: The study, which evaluates communication skills in nursing students, is argued to contribute to the literature by categorizing communication methods with a different approach and perspective. It is recommended that studies aimed at communication skills education programs continue, and programs whose effectiveness has been proven in research conclusions be included in the nursing curriculum.