Making the Connection: Effective Communication Skills for Nurses
Making the Connection: Effective Communication Skills for Nurses
September 30, 2026
1.5 Contact Hours
Description: Effective communication is essential for interdisciplinary and colleague collaboration to achieve optimal patient outcomes, support patient safety and reduce errors. By speaking with clarity, we also strengthen our workplace voice to focus on the nurse’s role as an advocate – not only for patients but also for safe staffing, healthy work environments, professional respect and workplace policies that support quality care. This workshop will discuss the importance of structured communication tools such as SBAR and CUS, and how various communication styles make a difference in the delivery of important information.
Learning Objective: 85% of workshop participants will self-report increased knowledge of how to communicate effectively to achieve safe and optimal patient care and to advocate for patients and health work environments.
Tanya Allen, BSN, RN is a registered nurse with a diverse background in emergency nursing, utilization review, leadership, and nursing advocacy. Before becoming a nurse, Tanya spent several years in the call center industry, progressing into leadership roles where she managed teams, handled escalated conversations, and coached employees, building an early foundation in effective communication and conflict resolution. Since becoming a nurse, Tanya has carried those skills into the clinical setting. Her commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care has been recognized through three DAISY Award nominations. Through her experiences at the bedside, in utilization review, and in nursing leadership and advocacy, she has seen firsthand how communication can directly affect patient safety, teamwork, conflict, and workplace culture. Tanya is passionate about helping nurses understand that speaking up does not have to mean being confrontational. She believes the strongest communicators aren’t always the loudest voices in the room; they’re the ones who know how and when to use their voice effectively.
Poster Presentations
0.25 Contact Hours per poster up to 2.5 Contact Hours
Poster No. 101. Moral Injury Among Nurses: Stories of Fractured Hearts and Wounded Souls
Presenter: Kelly Nedrow
LEARNING OUTCOME: 90 percent of participants will report an increase in knowledge of moral injury and the toll it takes on nurses.
Poster No. 102. Measles Update 2026: Not Just for Children Anymore
Presenter: Sara Markle-Elder
LEARNING OUTCOME: 90 percent of participants will report an increase in knowledge about measles (rubeola) prevention and transmission.
Poster No. 103. LGBTQIA+ Understanding Administrative Parameters
Presenter: Gabriela Cipolla
LEARNING OUTCOME: 90 percent of viewers will report an increase in knowledge of the administrative parameters for employment and healthcare for LGBTQIA+ colleagues.
Poster No. 104. Just Culture
Presenter: Haley Quinn LEARNING
OUTCOME: 90 percent will identify at least one technique they will implement in creating a just culture in their workplace.
Poster No. 105. Nursing Continuing Professional Development: 2026 Update
Presenter: Sally Ann Corbo
LEARNING OUTCOME: 90 percent of viewers will self- report an increase in knowledge of the process to partner with AFT-NHP to provide nursing contact hours.
Poster No. 106. Effective Interventions for Workplace Violence Prevention
Presenter: Sara Markle-Elder
LEARNING OUTCOME: 90 percent of viewers will report an increase in knowledge about at least one effective intervention to reduce workplace violence in healthcare settings.
Poster No. 107. 2026 National Performance Goals
Presenter: Barbara Rosen
LEARNING OUTCOME: 90 percent of viewers will self-report an increase in knowledge of the new 2026 National Performance Goals.
Poster No. 108. New Rules for Professional Degrees
Presenter: Gabriela Cipolla LEARNING
OUTCOME: 90 percent of viewers will self-report on increased awareness of the government changes to healthcare education funding in 2026.
Poster No. 109. Sepsis
Presenter: Sally Ann Corbo
LEARNING OUTCOME: 90 percent of viewers will self-report an increase in knowledge of sepsis as a life-threatening medical emergency.
Poster No. 110. New CPR Guidelines and Key Changes
Presenter: Sally Ann Corbo
LEARNING OUTCOME: 90 percent of viewers will self-report an increase in knowledge of cardiac resuscitation and emergency management related to the new CPR guidelines and key changes.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
The learner must attend 100% of this session. After the learner has completed the session, a program evaluation/survey must be completed and returned to the provider to receive a certificate of completion with up to 4.0 contact hours.
DISCLOSE ALL RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS TO LEARNERS
All planners and presenters have declared no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
ACCREDITED PROVIDER
American Federation of Teachers/Nurses and Health Professionals is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission of Accreditation. P#0003