ONS Connect - September 2008 - (Page 20)

NOTiCENurSiNGNOw Practice the Art of Listening [By Karen Hochberg, MS, ONS Director of Marketing and Public Relations] E pictetus, an ancient Greek philosopher, once said, “Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.” To become a great communicator, we must apply that equation to spending twice as much time developing our listening skills as we do planning our replies. Listen up and try some of these techniques. • Identify listening habits. What does it feel like when someone really listens to you? What behaviors do you find irritating in the listening habits of other people? Identify for yourself a list of your listening habits that work for you and those you need to change. • Ask questions. Learn to ask questions that encourage dialogue. Give feedback, make eye contact, and summarize what you have heard or ask the speaker to clarify. Ask, “Are you saying such and such? What I heard you say is this. Is this what you meant?” • Avoid formulating a response. Listen to the entire message before you craft your response. On average, we can think 500 words per minute, and the normal speaking rate is about 125–150 words per minute. This gap can lead to communication breakdown or your mind to drift off to other thoughts. • Remove distractions. Let the speaker know if the time is right. If you are stressed or in the middle of another project, simply say so and schedule another time or ask for a few minutes. Let the speaker know that you want to be fully present for the conversation. ✱ October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Since the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women aged 50 and older, and breast cancer deaths also have declined. This is exciting progress, but there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection at all and others who do not get screening mammograms and clinical breast examinations at regular intervals. • • • • Women aged 65 and older are less likely to get mammograms than younger women, even though breast cancer risk increases with age. Hispanic/Latino women have fewer mammograms than Caucasian and African American women. Women below poverty level are less likely than women at higher incomes to have had a mammogram within the past two years. Mammography use has increased for all groups except American Indians and Alaskan Natives. NBCAM sponsors, including ONS, encourage people to continue to raise awareness of early detection of breast cancer. NBCAM provides resources for promoting breast cancer awareness and early detection and reminding women to schedule a mammogram. For more information, visit www.nbcam.org. 20 September 2008 ONS CONNECT http://www.nbcam.org http://www.nbcam.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ONS Connect - September 2008

ONS Connect - September 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Advances in Prostate Cancer Treatment A Year in the Life - Month Nine Web Connect Capitol Connection Manage Infusion Reactions From Cetuximab Notice Nursing Now Caregiver Care Oropharyngeal Cancer in Men Associated with HPV Working for You Calendar of Events Staying on Top

ONS Connect - September 2008

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