TNAI JOURNAL

TNAI organised an 8-day workshop on “Human Relations and Communication Skills in Nursing Practice” at its headquarters during 2-9 September, 2009. In the era of globalisation, human relation skills are essential to handle a variety of people hailing Prof Kiran Walia, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt of NCT Delhi, addressing as Chief Guest from different culture, caste and different age groups with different life styles. In order to bring about productivity, a work culture, essence of responsibility and accountability it becomes crucial for every one particularly nurses to have human relation skills. Nurses must be skilled in human relation and communication for understanding human behaviour. In view of the above, this workshop was organised at the national level. The overall purpose of the workshop was to update the knowledge and skills of the nurse professionals working at various levels of health care settings, on the aspects of human relations and communication skills for effective and efficient patient care. The main objectives of the workshop were to: describe the concept of human relations and its applicability to nursing.	recognise the importance of communication skills and their application in human relations. appreciate the importance and effectiveness of team work and motivation for effective patient care. demonstrate various steps for managing stress in the work situation. discuss the relevance of different leadership styles, appropriate to varied nursing situations. develop positive attitude for quality nursing practice. apply problem solving techniques & decision making process. Participants The participants included 20 Nurse professionals of various levels (Staff Nurse - 5, Ward in charge - 2, DNS - 3, ANS - 6, Nurse educators - 3 and Lt. Col. 1) representing Andhra Mrs Jayaa Singh, President, Ascent Educational Foundation, expressing her views in the workshop Pradesh - 2. Assam - 2, Delhi - 5, Haryana - 1, J&K - 3, Tamil Nadu - 2, Uttar Pradesh - 3 and West Bengal - 2.	Inaugural session Mrs. Sheila Seda, Secretary General, TNAI gave a floral welcome to the Chief Guest, Professor Kiran Walia, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of NCT Delhi, Mrs. Jayaa Singh, President, Ascent Educational Foundation and other Guest invitees and participants. Mrs. Nanthini Subbiah, Dy. Secretary General and coordinator, CEP, TNAI presented an overview of the ongoing workshop. Prof. Kiran Walia in her inaugural address emphasised the importance of human relation in nursing service. She said that love and care are essential qualities that the nurses need to have; Nurses being women have an additional attribute, motherly instinct to take care of patients. Nursing is the noblest profession; if carried forward with compassion, it will add glory to it. Mrs. Jayaa Singh, President, Ascent Education Foundation, Salokia Faculty of Health Sciences, Delhi, while addressing the participants said that the nurses need to maintain human relation and communication skills because it goes a long way towards the image building of nursing profession. At the end of her address, she generously donated an amount of Rs. 21,000 towards CIN/ECH project of TNAI. The inaugural session ended with vote of thanks by Mrs. Evelyn P. Kannan, Assistant Secretary General, TNAI. Proceedings After the inaugural session, participants had an opportunity to attend the session on “Concepts, principles and scope of human relations” by Dr. Bimla Kapoor, Director, SOHS, IGNOU which was followed by lunch. During post-lunch session participants were asked to express their

strengths and achievements in their personal and professional life. It enabled them to know each other and created an ambience to overcome their inhibitions. Then the participants were given an overview of the workshop which included expectations, objectives, schedules and norms of workshop. Pre-test was also given to them. Mrs. Laxmi, Lecturer, IGNOU dealt on communication skills. Ms. AT Kora, Nursing Superintendent, St Stephen Hospital discussed about “Importance of communication and IPR for effective patient care”. She also had a session on Management by Objectives. The subject of Grievance Redressal and Conflict Management being a part of her routine affairs, was dealt in greater details by Ms Sheila Seda. Mrs Evelyn Kannan elaborated on Group Dynamics	building were appreciated and enjoyed by the participants. The topic on Transaction Analysis was taken by Dr. Indu Arneja. Counselling Skills in improving human relations was elaborated by Mrs. Deepika Khakha, Lecturer, AIIMS which was participatory and enjoyed by all. Dr Rajni Bagga from NIHFW discussed about Leadership Styles. As part of the workshop, the participants were taken to Sri Aurobindo Ashram on 5-Sep 2009 for a session on Stress Management by Dr Ramesh Bijlani. During this week long workshop they also had group activities on Team building, problem solving techniques, leadership styles and counselling skills. Course Evaluation The course was evaluated on the basis of pre-test and post test and participant’s feedback on relevance	suggested at least half a day to be allotted for local sight seeing. Regarding accommodation, they emphasized that it must be provided within the campus. Concluding Session This session was chaired by Brahmakumari Shanthi, New Delhi. At the outset Mrs Sheila Seda, welcomed the Chief Guest with flowers. The workshop resume was given by Mrs N Subbiah. The Chief Guest shared her views on Human relations by saying that ATM (Any Time Mercy) is essential for nurses while providing services to the patients. We should give happiness to the patients through our deeds. If our wishes do not come from heart it will not be fruitful (it will not work). We should have the positive attitude towards our services. We should not be influenced

Dynamics. Problem solving Techniques was covered by Mrs Thankam Gomez, CNO, Fortis Hospital. The sessions on “Decision Making and “Life skill for Self Development” were taken by Dr Gurpreet Singh and Dr Ashok Kumar from India Population Projects VIII, Delhi. The session on Team building was covered by Mrs Nanthini Subbiah. The games demonstrated on team	relevance and coverage of contents and methodology. Regarding the extent to which the course objectives have been fulfilled, majority (90%) of the participants commented that the objectives of the course were fully achieved. On coverage of contents and methodology used, 95 percent of the participants said that these were fully covered and the methodology was appreciable. They suggested	influenced by negative forces such as anger, hatred, and jealousy. Two representatives from the participants presented their remarks on various aspects of the workshop. Then the certificates were given to the participants by the Chief Guest. Mrs. E. Kannan concluded the session with vote of thanks. Mrs. Nanthini Subbiah, Dy Secretary- General & Coordinator CEP, TNAI