Professionalism in nursing 2: working as part of a team

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

In this article…

• Why teamwork is important in a complex clinical environment

• An explanation of the main characteristics of successful teamwork

• How to foster mutual respect between colleagues in the workplace

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Key points

The priority when working in a healthcare team is the patient, their safety and the delivery of high-quality care

The hospital nurse is part of a nursing team but also contributes to wider teams in the hospital

Effective team communication is vital - some tools that can be used are closed-loop communication; situation, background, assessment, recommendation; and readback

It is important to recognise and develop leadership skills throughout a nursing career

The mutual respect nurses have with patients and colleagues helps to bond the team and create a safe, positive environment

Abstract This article, the second in a series on professionalism in nursing, outlines how nurses form part of a team and explores how they can improve teamworking skills. The purpose of teamwork in healthcare is to provide high-quality, safe, patient-centred care in a professional and efficient way. Patients are presenting with more complex needs and comorbidities than before and it is impossible for one person to provide all the necessary care safely - which highlights the importance of teamwork. This article offers an overview of how student nurses can understand teams in healthcare and integrate themselves effectively, in alignment with the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Code.