Change talk tool for nurses

Change Talk: Empowering Patients in Nursing

What is Change Talk

Change talk is an intentional conversation with a patient about their level of readiness to change. It includes the patient’s statements about their level of desire, ability, reason, or preparedness to change their current behaviors. Being aware of the patient’s readiness to change makes the nurse better prepared to support the patient based on their needs. Change talk helps the patient decrease resistance to changing a behavior, increases motivation, builds self-efficacy, and helps the patient move along through the stages of change.

The Change Talk Tool

The Change Talk in Nursing Tool and accompanying video were created to support nurses in helping patients achieve their goals, rather than sending them home with instructions, expectations, and no support. The goal was to provide an actionable tool nurses can utilize to bring change talk into their nursing practice

The Change Talk in Nursing tool can be implemented to empower patient change within the nursing practice. This tool is FREE and can be downloaded at the link below.

The tool incorporates coaching-style communication into real-world patient interactions. It is based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change which assesses and assigns people based on their readiness to change. This allows a tailored and individualized approach to address their current stage.

While examples of in-patient scenarios are given in The Change Talk in Nursing Tool and accompanying video, it is important to note that the tool, skills and techniques are transferrable to all nursing situations. In fact, they can be utilized by other members of the healthcare team such as physical therapists and medical providers.

Benefits of Using the Tool

Shift Your Perspective

Shift away from seeing patients as non-compliant and towards seeing them from a whole-person perspective. Support your patients in moving forward at their own pace and in a way that works for them, as individuals.

Help to Shift the Patient's Pespective

Help your patient decrease resistance to changing a behavior, increase motivation, build self-efficacy, and impact their view on changes that could positively impact their health.

Support Your Patients

Feel more equipped to support patient in their needs, meet them where they are, and assist in addressing barriers that might otherwise be overlooked.

Watch the Video and Download the Free Tool

The below video will familiarize you with The Change Talk in Nursing Tool, including coaching skills that will come in handy, how and when to use the tool and what to say to evoke change talk in your patient. It will also highlight the difference between acting as a coach vs an expert and briefly introduce smart goals and how they may be useful.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TOOL

Created by Meriel Mischler

In collaboration with Kristina Schmidt, RN, NBC-HWC

Spring 2022

Meriel Mischler

Senior Nursing Student, University of Vermont
Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate Candidate

Kristina Schmidt, RN, NBC-HWC

Registered Nurse and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach
Wellness Coach for the Lifestyle Medicine program at Springfield Health Center, Springfield, VT
Plan for wellness, LLC, Founder & Health Coach
RN at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center

Terms of Use: Copyright 2022 by Meriel Mischler and Kristina Schmidt, RN, NBC-HWC. For personal and educational use only. Publishing or selling in any form is prohibited. Please kindly direct others to download copies at www.planforwellnessvt.com