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Fostering Team Cohesion on Multicultural Nursing Units: GoodTalk Workshop Builds Bridges
Aida Hozanovic1, Michael Pellegrino, Shira Rothberg
1Patient Experience Performance Advisor, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Patient Experience, Falls Church, VA (Hozanovic); Program Manager, Trauma Survivors Network Coordinator, Education Director, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Advanced Surgical Technology and Education Center, Falls Church, VA (Pellegrino, Romberg, Newcomb); Clinical Director, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Trauma Division, Falls Church, VA (Rothberg); Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Acute Rehabilitation, Falls Church, VA (Okrah).
Objective:
To assess the impact of a simulation-based communication workshop (GoodTalk) on teamwork, psychological safety, and communication among a culturally diverse nursing unit team.
Background:
As the US nursing workforce grows more diverse, nurse leaders must address challenges related to integration, communication, and team cohesion. Ineffective communication can negatively impact engagement, retention, and patient outcomes. Relationship-focused communication skills can enhance teamwork and feelings of belonging.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental design was implemented on a 25-bed acute rehabilitation unit in a 1036-bed academic medical center. All clinical staff participated in a tailored GoodTalk workshop. Pre and post-surveys, behavioral ratings, and qualitative feedback assessed outcomes related to teamwork, psychological safety, and communication.
Results:
Of 51 participants, 44 (86%) consented to research; 94% reported racial and cultural diversity, and 82% spoke English as a second language. Participants reported significant gains in confidence post-workshop in providing feedback (+0.85, P<0.001), relationships with colleagues (+0.63, P<0.001), and perceived value of diverse perspectives (+0.61, P<0.001).
Conclusions:
Simulation-based communication training enhanced team culture, cohesion, and inclusivity. Nurse leaders can use this workshop blueprint for teams seeking to build cohesion, psychological safety, and strengthen engagement while advancing patient-centered care.
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