Communication is a key skill for a nurse manager.
The staff on a nursing unit may include nurse aides with minimal education as well as nursing professionals educated at the baccalaureate level or above.
Nurse managers also interact with doctors, social workers, patients, families, other hospital workers such as respiratory therapists or lab technicians and senior hospital administration staff.
Some of the people who work in or seek care from a hospital may have limited English skills.
In each case, the nurse manager must be able to establish rapport, ensure communication is clear and listen carefully for potential problems or miscommunication.