The art of negotiation

Effective communication with consumers, carers and colleagues is the foundation – and at times the primary therapeutic intervention – of quality mental health nursing. Negotiation is a key aspect of effective communication, central to the collaborative process that underpins interprofessional practice and person-centred care (Cleary, Hunt, Horsfall, & Deacon, 2012). Although vitally important, and in contrast to more obvious clinical skills, the art of negotiation can remain hidden and under-appreciated as a ‘soft skill’ (Kroning, 2015). Understanding and fostering negotiation may support the fuller realization of a recovery model of care and contribute to positive stakeholder outcomes.