Effective Nurse Communications During a Crisis

As COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on hospitals and health systems across the United States, it is now more important than ever to clearly and effectively communicate with your nursing staff. In times of crisis and turmoil, frequent communication with frontline nurses from managers, directors and other leaders is crucial. A crisis of this magnitude can make or break the support and trust your nurses place in hospital leaders. Whether it is to convey support of their tireless efforts, provide organizational updates or share clinical guidance, ongoing communications are essential to ensure nurses remain engaged and in-the-know.

As healthcare communications experts, we suggest that you adopt the following strategies to guide your communications efforts:

• Communicate proactively and in a timely fashion.
• Nurses must learn about major announcements from leadership – not through the grapevine, news media or other external sources.
• Be upfront, transparent and honest in all communications.
• Nursing leadership should be actively involved and visible throughout every unit and during all shifts – not just first and second shifts and weekdays.
• Use multiple forms and channels of communication to ensure each nurse hears your messages.
• Communications must be two-way. Provide nurses with the ability to ask questions and voice concerns.
• Strive to find answers to questions as soon as possible.
• Reflect your mission, vision and values in all communications.

If you need support communicating with your nurses, Tipton Health Communications is here to help. Our core team of professional communicators are available to assist you with leadership messaging, communications plan review and more.

Learn More

For more information on how Tipton can support your nurse communications efforts, call us at 302-454-7901 or email us at info@tiptonhealth.com to speak with one of our healthcare communications experts.

The original version of this page was published at:  https://tiptonhealth.com/nurse-crisis-communications/