nurse with hands un top of patients hands

What Your Body Language is Telling Patients

For nurses, understanding body language is key to improving patient satisfaction and comfort to patients and families. Is your body language sending the right message?

Time spent in a medical setting can be stressful for patients and families, who may express anxiety through frustration, impatience and anger - particularly if they believe they’re being routinely dismissed or ignored. 

Because nurses spend more time with patients than any other member of the healthcare team, it’s crucial that they understand that body language is equally as important as what’s actually said during patient interactions.

Study up on body language and how to use it to communicate with patients.

The Role of Nursing in Patient and Family Comfort

Nurses have a large role in making patients and loved ones feel more comfortable both physically and emotionally. 

Browse Nursing Jobs

When nurses show interest, empathy and understanding, patients feel more encouraged to be better participants in their healthcare management and invest more trust in their healthcare team.

Healthy provider-patient relationships result in faster diagnoses, more effective treatment plans and better patient outcomes.

Because healthcare systems continue to increase patient numbers and expectations, there simply isn’t enough time during shifts to carry on lengthy, in-depth conversations with every patient. However, investing more time may not be the only or best option.

An emotional nurse reflecting
See Also
What is the Emotional Cost of Nursing?

 

Patients want answers, but they want those answers presented simply, accurately and with genuine sensitivity for their concerns. 

It’s important for them to feel they are understood and that you are genuinely there for them. Patients want to know that they matter, that they aren’t just another chart or number and that you understand the questions they have — however trivial on the surface — are significant to them.

Understanding Body Language and its Role in Communication

Body language is a form of non-verbal communication that uses eye contact, movements, gestures and facial expressions to convey messages that are used in place of or in combination with verbal messages. Body language can be used to:

  • Express emotion
  • Convey attitudes
  • Demonstrate personality traits
  • Support verbal communication

Body language gives a wealth of information to patients and can convey a sense of warmth, empathy, caring, reassurance and support. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, it can also reflect anger, irritation, disinterest or boredom.

Always remember to monitor your body language when addressing patients and their families. Follow these tips to make sure your body language aligns with your verbal messages and intentions.

1. Pay Attention to Your Facial Expressions

The face offers a wealth of non-verbal information to listeners. The slightest movements can convey approval, disapproval, happiness, anger, fear or disgust. 

Showing even a faint frown while reading a patient’s chart can increase a patient’s anxiety and can damage trust, especially if the patient was given a positive verbal message.

The more complex the patient’s medical situation is the more conscious you must be about facial expressions. 

Use facial expressions to show an emotional response when your patient or their loved ones are speaking. If they show concern, make sure to match your expression to show that you are listening with interest.

2. Make Eye Contact

Eye contact is essential for connecting with patients and gaining their trust. Though reading charts and taking notes is necessary, focusing too long on these processes can have negative consequences. Avoiding eye contact gives the impression of cold disinterest.

Patients who believe their providers lack interest in their personal care are more likely to withhold valuable information that could be beneficial for successful diagnosis and treatment.

Make sure your eyes and the eyes of your patients are at about the same level. When it becomes necessary to look away from the patient to fulfill your duties, continue to make occasional eye contact to reinforce that you’re still there for the patient.

3. Face the Patient

Because nurses are constantly multi-tasking, this is often easier said than done. Reading charts, making notes, setting up equipment and making adjustments of nearly every kind can make it difficult to face patients at all. 

Be aware that turning your back for prolonged periods gives the impression that you are intentionally avoiding the patient.

Patients often feel helpless and vulnerable and are further susceptible to feelings of isolation and avoidance. 

Facing patients is a concrete way to let them know they aren’t invisible. On occasions when turning your back is absolutely necessary, make sure to briefly explain why so patients feel included in the process.

4. Lean Forward and Nod

It’s important for practitioners to provide non-verbal cues when actively listening. Backing away from patients while they speak sends a clear message that you’re the one in control of stopping the conversation before it even starts.

Closing the proximity between you and your patient can be done by simply leaning forward. 

This gesture signals that you are interested in what your patients have to say. Occasionally nodding your head at appropriate times while the patient is speaking shows that you’re engaged and paying attention.

5. Remove Barriers

Physical barriers may include large objects such as overbed tables or medical equipment or smaller objects such as clipboards and electronic devices.

Intangible barriers such as time constraints and postures that include crossed arms or legs may be even more off-putting. 

Crossing your arms is a clear indication of lack of interest in what the speaker saying. Sitting with crossed legs makes you appear less approachable and can lead the patient to feel isolated and hesitant about relating information or experiences. 

It’s vital that providers appear to be as open and approachable as possible.

Remember that individuals seek medical attention or advice because they are in pain or have serious health concerns. 

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that patients may be intimidated or overwhelmed by anxiety, fear or other negative thoughts and feelings.

Effective communication that combines the skillful use of body language with verbal messages ensures patients can enjoy positive interactions with providers in all circumstances. 

Patients want more than a diagnosis and treatment plan. They want what everyone else wants — to feel respected and valued as individuals — and understanding body language helps a nurse meet that need.

Apply Now

Additional Nursing Resources:

Latest News

Exploring OBGYN Subspecialties: Which Path is Right for You?
PhysicianMarch 26, 2025

Exploring OBGYN Subspecialties: Which Path is Right for You?

One of the most exciting aspects of becoming an OBGYN is the opportunity to pursue subspecialties that align with your professional goals, personal interests, and lifestyle preferences.

Screening Guidelines Every Family Medicine Physician Should Follow in 2025
PhysicianMarch 13, 2025

Screening Guidelines Every Family Medicine Physician Should Follow in 2025

For 2025, significant updates have been made to emphasize personalized medicine, technological advancements, and population-specific needs. 

Otolaryngologist Salary Outlook 2025
PhysicianMarch 13, 2025

Otolaryngologist Salary Outlook 2025

For otolaryngologists, also known as ears, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists, salary trends reveal not only the growing demand for their expertise but also the evolving dynamics of healthcare

Preparing for Match Week: How to Create Your Rank Order List
PhysicianFebruary 26, 2025

Preparing for Match Week: How to Create Your Rank Order List

Match Week is one of the most exciting—and nerve-wracking—moments in a medical student's life. It's the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and ambition, where students

Key Skills for Success in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
PhysicianFebruary 20, 2025

Key Skills for Success in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Child and adolescent psychiatry is a deeply rewarding yet multifaceted field that requires a unique blend of clinical expertise, empathy, and communication. These young patients often exhibit

How Much Does a Rheumatologist Make?
PhysicianFebruary 19, 2025

How Much Does a Rheumatologist Make?

 On average, salaries for pediatric rheumatologists range from $180,000 to $210,000 per year, according to Salary.com and other healthcare industry sources.

Psychologist Salary Guide 2025
PhysicianFebruary 19, 2025

Psychologist Salary Guide 2025

Psychologists—whether employed in schools, healthcare, or independent practice—continue to experience solid demand across the U.S. According to Salary.com the average psychologist

Radiologist Salary Guide for 2025 and Specialties
PhysicianFebruary 06, 2025

Radiologist Salary Guide for 2025 and Specialties

Whether you're considering permanent employment, pursuing locum tenens work, or exploring subspecialties like Diagnostic Radiology, Vascular & Interventional Radiology, or Mammography, this

Article search

Take the first step to starting your new career.

* Indicates Required Fields

 

I agree to receive emails, automated text messages and phone calls (including calls that contain prerecorded content) from and on behalf of AMN Healthcare, and affiliates. Show more I understand these messages will be to the email or phone number provided, and will be about employment opportunities, positions in which I’ve been placed, and my employment with AMN companies. See privacy policy or cookie policy for more details. Show less

* Indicates Required Fields

 

I agree to receive emails, automated text messages and phone calls (including calls that contain prerecorded content) from and on behalf of AMN Healthcare, and affiliates. {{show_more}} I understand these messages will be to the email or phone number provided, and will be about employment opportunities, positions in which I’ve been placed, and my employment with AMN companies. See privacy policy or cookie policy for more details.

Complete Your Application!
Continue to NurseFinders to complete your application and profile.