Why Nursing Teamwork Matters and Tips for Improving Teamwork in Nursing

Nursing Teamwork isn’t just important, it's essential. Effective teamwork in nursing not only helps you provide high-quality patient care, it also helps you create a supportive work environment among other nurses and health professionals you work with every day.

What is teamwork in nursing? 

Nursing teamwork is the ability of nurses to work together with other nurses and healthcare professionals to provide high-quality care for patients. Teamwork in nursing involves communication, collaboration, coordination, and support. It also involves including patients and their families in decisions that impact care. Teamwork makes for a better work environment where you are generally happier and also improves patient satisfaction. 

To be effective, nurse teamwork must occur across departments and shifts using proper communication channels which may include: texts, emails, notes in electronic health records (EHR), and stand-up huddles. Proper communication ensures everyone involved in a patient’s care is on the same page at all times.

Why is nursing teamwork important? 

Patient care continues to grow in complexity. Many patients require care from multiple healthcare professionals including nurses, CNAs, medical assistants, doctors, and a wide variety of specialists. 

Effective teamwork in nursing helps to ensure that each individual healthcare professional, with specific talents and roles, work together seamlessly to provide the best possible care and treat the patient effectively. When healthcare professionals work together to develop and implement care plans, patients receive more comprehensive and coordinated care which leads to better outcomes, reduced readmissions, and greater patient satisfaction.

In addition to holistic care for patients, nursing teamwork also promotes safety. When healthcare providers work together, they can better identify and address risks, prevent errors, and respond quickly to emergencies. This collaboration in patient care reduces the likelihood of negative events and improves patient safety.

What are the benefits of teamwork in nursing? 

Greater job satisfaction

Working as a part of a nursing team can improve your job satisfaction by reducing the stress that comes from feeling on your own and having no one to turn to when you need help. It also increases overall feelings of happiness at work because nursing teamwork creates trust as you work together toward a common goal. 

Lower turnover rates

Turnover is a big problem for hospitals and healthcare facilities, especially since the pandemic. According to a 2024 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report the RN turnover rate was 18.4% last year. High turnover creates additional problems. The more nurses leave, the more remaining nurses are overworked and at risk of burnout. Healthcare organizations that emphasize nurse teamwork tend to have higher employee satisfaction ratings which decreases turnover. 

More efficient processes

Effective teamwork in nursing can decrease workload by helping you develop more efficient ways to accomplish tasks and goals. This allows you to serve more patients in a shorter amount of time while still providing a high level of care. 

Stronger professional networks

Communicating with other members of a patient’s healthcare team and getting to know the health professionals, allows you to share your expertise, learn from others, find or become a mentor, and develop new career goals. 

Lower healthcare costs

Teamwork in nursing can lower overall healthcare costs for patients. By communicating across a patient’s health plan you can use resources more efficiently and streamline how services are provided. 

Tips for improving nurse teamwork

1. Increase communication

As a nurse, you should use all forms of communication including written and verbal to communicate and collaborate with other nurses and healthcare professionals. You should also encourage input from others by allowing them to voice opinions and make suggestions. Ensure your own voice is heard by being more vocal but also listening to and respecting others’ opinions. 

2. Be honest and direct

Work toward full transparency by ensuring that everyone on your team has the same information, standards and expectations. Keep detailed chart notes and check in with your nursing team to confirm patient status and priorities. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on assignments or to ask for help when you feel overwhelmed or uncertain of the best way to care for a patient. 

3. Clarify roles and responsibilities

Make sure every team member understands the tasks he or she is responsible for and that each person on the nursing team knows the roles of other team members. When everyone understands each other's responsibilities it becomes easier to find out essential information and complete higher-priority tasks.

4. Practice being flexible and adaptable

Good nursing care is about being able to make adjustments and customize care plans quickly to ensure successful outcomes for patients. You can become more flexible and better able to adapt to unexpected situations when you pay attention to those around you and prepare to offer support whenever you notice that another healthcare team member may need assistance. Learning new skills and gaining additional nursing education can also make it easier for you to support others on your nursing team. 

5. Follow up

Don’t be afraid to reach out to other healthcare professionals and ask for an update on patient care. This improves accountability throughout the entire team. You may need to track the progress of processing labs and scheduling follow up appointments in addition to your regular duties to ensure that patients receive optimum care. Update others on your nursing team when you accomplish tasks so they are able to step in and help with a patient when needed. Document all communication with other nurses, other healthcare professionals, and the patients themselves. 

6. Get additional education

When you improve your abilities to provide care as a nurse with increased knowledge and nursing skills, you improve the strength of your entire nursing team. You may even be able to find opportunities to increase education levels as a team such as working together to complete an LPN to RN bridge program online or RN to BSN program online. 

To provide the highest quality patient care and experience, it is paramount that nurses work together as a team — communicating and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to care for those in need. Effective teamwork in nursing doesn’t happen overnight. It requires consistent, open communication and respect. With the right attitude and a shared commitment to the well-being of patients, nurses can cultivate a strong and lasting team.