[Demands on interpersonal and communicative skills of nurses in their daily practice]

This article explores the objectives for developing interpersonal skills in nursing education proceeding from the demands of daily nursing practice. The typical situations and structures of communication between nurses and patients are ascertained by a qualitative study. It comes to the conclusion that this communication pattern is strongly characterized by power structures and that nurses often miss out on a differentiated and adequate view of these real requirements and conditions. From the results of the study conclusions for nursing education are drawn. Furthermore, the guiding principles for communication skills in nursing that correspond with a client-centered direction of interaction in order to give psychological help are discussed and rejected.