The Intelligent Nurse

Patient safety and satisfaction are not just passing fads. They are two thirds of what patients expect from their health care system. The Intelligent Nurse was created to help nurses learn the soft skills that will allow them to become more effective providers of care to others, enhance their profession and position themselves for advancement. Starting with the basic skill of communication, The Intelligent Nurse explores the some of the pitfalls that affect both verbal and non-verbal communication. Many patient safety issues are directly related to how we communicate. Often, the overwhelming portion of our communication with patient and family are non-verbal. Knowledge of how this interaction occurs, within the realm of emotional and social intelligence, will lead to higher patient satisfaction. Throughout The Intelligent Nurse, other aspects that affect our ability to lead patients to better health are explored. These points also enhance our ability to lead others on the health care team. When these skills are learned and practiced, they become the stepping stones to our own personal and professional advancement. This book, while short in length can serve as a stepping stone to greater learning and increased skill competence. The Intelligent Nurse also seeks to enlighten nurses about their role in the marketing and sales of health and health care. Too often, through lack of marketing knowledge, much of what we do and say puts out a negative message. When those patients and their families leave our care, the word of mouth advertising that occurs can wreck havoc in a multitude of venues. These same skills, used in a positive fashion, can sell patients on the actions necessary to increase their level of wellness long after they leave our care. These same skills can be used to enhance the professional life of a nurse by giving them the competence to promote their ideas to others in an efficient manner.