The SBAR communication technique: teaching nursing students professional communication skills.

The Joint Commission and Institute for Healthcare Improvement have mandated healthcare organizations to improve professional communication. Nursing students lack experience in communicating with physicians. As a result, recent graduates may not be prepared to meet the demands of professional communication to ensure patient safety. The authors discuss the SBAR (situation, background, assessment, recommendations) communication technique implemented during a 2-day simulation exercise that provided an organized logical sequence and improved communication and prepared graduates for transition to clinical practice.