A six-step nursing communication checklist.
Use this simple structure to prepare for a fictional role-play, reflect after practice, or organize a patient-centered conversation within your training and role.
PAUSE communication checklist
Move forward with clarity.
- P — Prepare and pause
Check the purpose, setting, privacy needs, urgency, and what is appropriate to your role before speaking.
- A — Acknowledge the person
Name the concern or emotion respectfully. Avoid blame, dismissal, assumptions, or false reassurance.
- U — Understand their perspective
Ask one clear open question, listen without interrupting, and clarify what matters most to the person.
- S — Share clearly and safely
Use plain language, short steps, and only information you can support. State uncertainty and escalate when appropriate.
- E — Ensure understanding
Invite questions and use a respectful understanding check, such as asking the person to explain the plan in their own words.
- ✓ — End with a closed loop
Summarize the agreed next step, who is responsible, what happens next, and how the person can raise another concern.
After the conversation
What did I acknowledge? What was still unclear? Did I check understanding? Is an escalation or follow-up still open?
Educational communication practice only. Use fictional information in MoveLuma. Follow qualified supervision, local policy, scope, and emergency procedures in real care.
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