What it means to show empathy in nursing: putting yourself in the patient's shoes to ease anxiety before surgery

Empathy in the moment: why putting yourself in the patient’s shoes matters

When a patient hears they’re about to undergo surgery, the room can feel smaller somehow—even if the lights are bright and the monitors beep steadily. Fear doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers: What does this mean for me? Will I be safe? Am I making the right choice? In those moments, the nurse’s ability to connect emotionally becomes as important as the clinical checklist. And that connection starts with one simple, powerful choice: put yourself in the client’s situation to understand their anxiety.

The truth is, empathy isn’t about fixing every worry with a silver line. It’s about presence. It’s about acknowledging feelings without judgment and showing the patient you’re listening—not just hearing. In the world of ATI Physical Assessment topics, the emotional layer is part of the whole picture. The best care teams understand that a patient’s emotional state can influence how they respond to information, consent, pain management, and even recovery itself.

What makes this the right move

Why choose option B—the nurse placing herself in the client’s perspective—over the others? Here’s the short version: empathy builds trust. Trust makes communication clearer, which in turn leads to more personalized and safer care. If you reply with blanket reassurances (A), or urge “be brave” (C), or shift the topic to something “more positive” (D), you’re not addressing the root of the fear. You may calm the surface for a moment, but the patient’s underlying distress remains unspoken. And when distress isn’t named, it’s harder to tailor the plan—whether it’s pre-op instructions, consent nuances, or post-op pain control.

Empathy in action during a physical assessment

Let me explain how this looks in a real clinical scene. A patient is anxious about an upcoming procedure. The phone call, the preoperative visit, the walk to the room—all of it can feel overwhelming. The nurse who notices this, and who responds by stepping into the patient’s shoes, signals a different tone for the entire encounter. The patient senses safety, not just facts. That sense of safety is what makes a patient willing to ask questions, share concerns, and engage in decision-making about their care plan.

Two quick truths to hold onto

• Validation beats chiding every worry. When a patient says, “I’m scared,” a simple, “I hear you; that sounds really tough,” goes a long way. It doesn’t dismiss the fear; it acknowledges it.

• Presence beats problem-solving on autopilot. You don’t have to have all the answers right away. Sometimes the most helpful move is listening, reflecting, and offering to gather more information together.

Practical steps you can take in the next patient encounter

Here’s a practical, patient-centered approach you can use during the preoperative or perioperative assessment. It blends clear communication with the core skills you’ll see in ATI-related scenarios.

• Start with a warm, non rushed greeting. Make eye contact if culturally appropriate, introduce yourself, and explain your role in a calm, respectful way.

• Observe more than you ask. Notice nonverbal cues: tense shoulders, fidgeting, hollow-looking eyes, a whisper of a breath after a question. These details tell you where the anxiety sits.

• Ask open-ended questions. Instead of yes/no prompts, try: “What worries you most about today’s procedure?” or “How has this news felt for you and your family?” This invites a story rather than a short answer.

• Reflect and validate. Mirror a bit of what you hear: “It sounds like you’re worried about the recovery timeline. That’s a real concern.” Validation helps the patient feel seen without requiring you to have all the answers immediately.

• Paraphrase for accuracy. A quick restatement ensures you understood their point: “So your main concern is the anesthesia experience and the recovery period, correct?”

• Share what you can, not what you can’t. If you don’t have an answer yet, say so honestly: “I don’t have that information right now, but I’ll find out and come back to you.” Then follow through.

• Involve the patient in the plan. Ask, “What would make this process feel safer for you?” and incorporate practical steps—extra time with the surgeon, a detailed explanation of the anesthesia process, or a written summary of post-op care.

• Respect privacy and autonomy. Ensure the conversation takes place in a private space and at a pace that matches the patient’s comfort level.

• Document the emotional assessment. In your notes, briefly record the patient’s stated concerns and your empathy-based responses. This helps the team stay aligned on the patient’s emotional needs.

• Transition smoothly to the next steps. Close with a clear plan and an invitation to return with questions: “We’ve got time to talk about any other concerns you have before you sign consent.”

A few phrases that convey empathy without crossing lines

• “I can see why that would feel unsettling.”

• “I’m glad you told me this; your feelings matter here.”

• “Let’s go through this together step by step.”

• “If anything changes for you, tell me, and we’ll adjust.”

Common missteps—and why they fall short

• Reassuring with a generic, one-size-fits-all line. It can feel hollow because it doesn’t address the patient’s unique worry.

• Pushing bravery as a requirement. “Be brave” can imply the patient is failing, which erodes trust and reduces openness.

• Shifting away from feelings by changing the subject. Positive talk is valuable, but not at the expense of acknowledging fear or confusion.

A tangible link to ATI Physical Assessment topics

Empathetic communication sits right alongside the technical elements of the assessment. For students and clinicians focusing on ATI-related content, consider these integration points:

• Emotional screening as part of the preoperative assessment. Recording anxiety levels, coping styles, and support systems helps shape perioperative care.

• Patient education as a collaborative step. When you align information with the patient’s concerns, they’re more likely to understand consent and postoperative instructions.

• Collaboration with the surgical team. Documenting the patient’s emotional state informs anesthesia planning, pain management strategies, and recovery expectations.

• Cultural sensitivity in communication. Some patients express fear differently. Adapting your approach shows respect and improves the therapeutic relationship.

A quick, digestible example

Imagine Mrs. K, scheduled for laparoscopic surgery. She’s anxious, her voice tight, her hands folded in her lap. The nurse sits down beside her, lowers the voice, and says: “Mrs. K, I can hear that this is weighing on you. Tell me what worries you the most about today.” Mrs. K shares concerns about anesthesia and waking up during the procedure. The nurse validates, reflects, and offers a concrete plan: a pre-anesthesia discussion with the anesthesiologist, a calmer explanation of the recovery process, and reassurance about monitored comfort after surgery. Later, the nurse documents Mrs. K’s fears and the steps they agreed to take, ensuring the whole team remains aligned. By staying present and validating emotions, the nurse helps reduce anticipatory anxiety and fosters trust.

Why this mindset matters beyond the bedside

Yes, empathy improves the patient’s experience. It also strengthens the entire care journey. When patients feel understood, they’re more likely to participate in decisions, follow instructions, and communicate openly if something doesn’t feel right. In the long run, that kind of engagement supports safer outcomes, smoother recoveries, and a physician-nurse-patient dynamic that many patients remember when they think back on their care.

A couple of practical takeaways

• Lead with listening. Allow space for the patient to share fear, questions, and hopes before you jump into problem-solving.

• Validate before you fix. Acknowledge feelings; then offer information or actions that address those feelings when possible.

• Make empathy a habit, not a moment. Integrate this approach into every patient interaction you have, not just the tricky cases.

What to do next, without the fluff

If you’re learning about ATI Physical Assessment topics, bring this mindset to your next clinical encounter. Use it as a lens—not a script—to guide your conversations. Practice two practical steps in every patient contact: a reflective statement that validates an expressed feeling, and a clarifying question that helps you identify the core concern. Over time, you’ll build a repertoire that feels natural, not rehearsed.

In the end, empathy isn’t a verbose technique or a dramatic gesture. It’s a quiet commitment to see the patient as a person with fears, values, and hopes. When you choose to put yourself in their situation, you provide a bridge—one that carries trust, clarity, and a better path through the surgical journey.

If you’re exploring ATI-based topics, remember: the most powerful assessments aren’t only about numbers and findings. They’re about people—their stories, their worries, and how you respond in that moment. That is where compassionate care begins, and where learning truly meets practice.