The Eric Woo Project
A nurse demonstrates compassionate and empathetic communication when caring for a person who is considering self-harm or suicide.
Unfolding Narratives
Adaptable, evidence-based educational resources using performing arts and new technologies, co-created with healthcare and arts professionals, to enhance nursing education at Western Sydney University.
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Dan's Story
A student nurse develops a therapeutic relationship with an Aboriginal man who has dementia in Emergency.
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Maria's Story
A nurse calms a woman from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse background who is distressed by her current life circumstances, and her perception regarding the way she is treated when she presents to the General Practitioner.
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Ali's Story
A new graduate nurse struggles to provide the right care to an African family whose baby is dying in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The research behind the Narratives
The relationship the nurse builds with anyone in their care is at the heart of nursing practice. This requires the nurse to develop 'soft skills' that ensure they can communicate with empathy and compassion. However, this may be even more difficult if the nurse is building a relationship with a person experiencing distress because they have been diagnosed with a mental illness, cognitive impairment, or a person in crisis.
It is important to teach nurses at the beginning of their career to take a person-centred view that enables them to look beyond the behaviour and really listen to the person so that the nurse can understand who the person is and what their needs are.