Mastering the Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback: A Critical Skill for Nurses

Feedback is a powerful tool in nursing, one that, when done right, can enhance performance, improve communication, and foster professional growth. Yet, both giving and receiving feedback can be emotionally charged. As caregivers, nurses are often focused outward -on patients, on teams, on outcomes—but part of effective practice is turning inward and engaging in honest, respectful dialogue with colleagues.

So, how do we make feedback less intimidating and more effective?

Why Feedback Matters in Healthcare and for Nurses

In healthcare, feedback isn’t just about performance reviews. It’s embedded in our daily interactions—between nurse and nurse, nurse and student, and across interdisciplinary teams. Effective feedback contributes to:

• Patient safety and quality improvement

• Professional development

• Team cohesion and collaboration

• Early conflict resolution

  (Hardavella et al.,  2017; Altmiller, 2012)

  
  

But for feedback to serve its purpose, it must be timely, clear, and compassionate.

The Power of Crucial Conversations

Grenny et al. (2023) define a crucial conversation as one where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. In their book, Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High (3rd ed.), the authors highlight tools that help professionals navigate challenging conversations with clarity and respect.

For nurses, crucial conversations might include discussing safety concerns, addressing a coworker’s behavior, or offering constructive criticism to a preceptee.

Key Principles for Nurses from Crucial Conversations when Giving Feedback:

• Start with heart: Know your goal and approach the conversation with positive intent.

• Make it safe: Create psychological safety by showing mutual respect and purpose.

• Master your stories: Don’t jump to conclusions; explore the facts before interpreting behavior.

• STATE your path: Share facts, tell your story, ask for others’ viewpoints, talk tentatively, and encourage testing of ideas.

  
  

These strategies empower nurses to speak up, even in emotionally charged or hierarchical situations, without causing defensiveness or harm.

Key Principles for Nurses Receiving Feedback – Inspired by Crucial Conversations 

1. Stay Grounded: Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are a valued member of the team. Remaining calm allows you to listen openly rather than defensively.

2. Listen and Clarify: As feedback is shared, focus on truly hearing the message. If the feedback is vague or lacks examples, respectfully ask for clarification. Don’t internalize every word as criticism—stay curious rather than reactive.

3. Pause and Reflect: It’s okay to take time to process. Step away if needed to let emotions settle. Reflect on what was said and consider the intent behind it.

4. Follow Up Thoughtfully: Once you’ve had time to reflect, consider what parts of the feedback are valid and actionable. If needed, reconnect with the person who offered it. Clarify what you heard, express appreciation, and outline your next steps. This isn’t about confrontation—it’s about shared understanding, growth, and accountability.

   
   

When delivered well, feedback is not a personal attack—it’s an opportunity. Embrace it as a tool to grow in your role, strengthen team dynamics, and enhance the quality of care you provide.

 (Grenny et al., 2023)

DISC: Understanding Communication Styles

Another layer to successful feedback is tailoring communication based on individual personalities. The DISC Guide Every Leader Needs to Know helps professionals identify behavioral styles and adjust accordingly.

The DISC model includes four main styles:

• D (Dominance): Results-oriented, direct, confident

• I (Influence): People-oriented, enthusiastic, sociable

• S (Steadiness): Reliable, calm, team-focused

• C (Conscientiousness): Analytical, detail-focused, careful

  
  

Understanding these styles can help nurses craft feedback that resonates well with various colleagues.

For example:

• With a D-style nurse, get to the point quickly and emphasize outcomes.

• With an I-style colleague, include encouragement and rapport.

• With an S-style teammate, offer support and avoid sudden confrontation.

• With a C-style peer, focus on data and logic while respecting their need for accuracy.

  (Clifton & Hadden, 2021)

  
  

Receiving Feedback: A Growth Mindset for Nurses

While giving feedback is a skill, receiving it with professionalism and openness is equally essential. Nurses who embrace feedback show resilience and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Tips for Receiving Feedback Well:

• Don’t personalize it. Separate the message from your self-worth.

• Ask questions. Clarify what was said and how you can improve.

• Thank the giver. Appreciate their effort to help you grow.

• Reflect and apply. Use feedback as a springboard for development.

  
  

Practical Steps to Build a Feedback Culture in Nursing

1. Normalize feedback—include it in daily huddles or shift reports.

2. Train staff on crucial conversations and communication tools.

3. Use structured tools such as SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) or feedback scripts.

4. Encourage peer feedback in preceptorship and mentoring.

5. Model it from leadership—nurse managers should demonstrate how to give and receive feedback in a graceful manner.

   (Hardavella et al., 2017; Altmiller, 2012)

Closing Thought

Giving and receiving feedback is more than a communication strategy—it’s a reflection of our respect for each other, our shared responsibility for patient care, and our dedication to continuous improvement. As Genny et al. (2023) highlight in their book, the longer the delay between recognizing a problem and addressing it, the more difficult it becomes to achieve a positive outcome. Timely, open feedback is essential not just for the health of your organization, but also for your professional growth and overall job satisfaction. 

References

Altmiller G. (2012). The role of constructive feedback in patient safety and continuous quality improvement. The Nursing clinics of North America, 47(3), 365–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2012.05.002

Clifton, J., & Hadden, M. (2021). The DISC guide every leader needs to know: How to improve teamwork, communication and motivation. PeopleSmart.

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., McMillan, R., Switzler, A., & Gregory, E. (2023). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Hardavella, G., Aamli-Gaagnat, A., Saad, N., Rousalova, I., & Sreter, K. B. (2017). How to give and receive 
feedback effectively. Breathe (Sheffield, England), 13(4), 327–333. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.009917