Written Communication of Safety Checks

Assignment Overview

Clear, accurate communication is essential to patient safety in nursing practice. Nurses must be able to explain what they are doing, why safety checks are required, and how these actions protect patients. This assignment focuses on developing professional nursing communication through writing.

You will select one foundational nursing skill and write an academic paper that explains how nurses communicate safety checks related to that skill to patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team.

Skill Selection (Choose ONE)

Select one of the following skills as the focus of your paper:

1. Neurological assessments
2. Nasogastric (NG) tube placement and verification
3. Peripheral IV insertion
4. Administration of IV medications

Your entire paper should focus on the communication of safety checks related to your chosen skill.

Assignment Task

Write an academic nursing paper that demonstrates how effective communication supports safety when performing your chosen nursing skill.

Your paper must:

• Explain why safety checks are necessary for the selected skill
• Describe how nurses communicate safety checks (verbal explanations, documentation, handoff communication, patient education)
• Discuss how communication prevents errors and protects patients
• Use professional nursing language appropriate for a first-year nursing student
• Support ideas with evidence-based nursing sources

Required Structure – APA Format

Introduction

• Introduce the importance of communication in patient safety
• Identify the selected nursing skill
• Present a clear thesis statement explaining how communication supports safe practice

Body (Use Clear Headings)

Communication Before the Skill

• Patient identification and explanation of the procedure
• Verification of orders and baseline safety checks

Communication During the Skill

• Ongoing patient communication
• Team communication (e.g., asking for assistance, verbalizing checks)

Communication After the Skill

• Documentation of safety checks
• Patient education and follow-up instructions
• Reporting concerns or abnormal findings

Conclusion

• Summarize the role of communication in preventing patient harm
• Reflect on the nurses professional responsibility for clear communication

Formatting Requirements

• Length: 23 pages (excluding title and reference pages)
• Format: APA 7th edition
• Font: 12-point Times New Roman
• Spacing: Double-spaced
• References: Minimum of 2 scholarly nursing sources

The Rubric is looking for:

Thorough explanation of how safety checks are communicated before, during, and after the skill. Clearly explains how communication prevents errors and harm.

Consistently professional tone with accurate nursing terminology. Logical organization with correct APA Style.

Purpose is clear, focused on communication and safety, and appropriate for a professional nursing audience.

Integrates appropriate nursing sources to support communication and safety.

Writing is clear and virtually error-free.