Categories: Scrubs

Body language every nurse should know

Coworkers
What is your coworker’s body language telling you? Avoid head games and gain insight into how your fellow nurse is feeling with these 3 tips:

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1. Hands interlaced behind head

When a coworker is leaning back with the hands interlaced behind the head, some people feel intimidated. This gesture, quite common in many hospitals and organizations, is typically indicative of comfort and dominance, and should be no reason for concern.

2. Finger pointing

On the negative side, the act of finger pointing is one of the most offensive gestures around the globe. It indicates most likely that your fellow nurse is at the end of their emotional rope. It’s a signal that crisis management techniques might be needed soon.

3. Erratic voice pitch

While a normal, lively conversation is characterized by fluctuation and variance in voice pitch, when a coworker’s speech rate and loudness all of a sudden increase, this could be a signal of nervousness and anxiety. This may be a sign that they need an assist.

Patients | Coworkers | Manager | Patient’s Family | Different Cultures | Improve Your Workday

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Vlad Zachary

"America’s Professional Coach" Vlad Zachary is a leading expert in career and professional coaching with award-winning and world-recognized publications. He is the CEO of CareerBlackboard.com, founder of InterviewSkillsUniversity.com, and the author of the DVD Mastering the Job Interview and several e-books on healthcare, communications, psychology and career development.

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