How Can Nurses Build Patient Trust

Building trust with patients is a skill that is needed in any nursing role. A patient who does not trust their nurse, will not be as willing to talk about symptoms or make changes to positively impact their health. 

Trust isn’t just another nursing soft skill. It is one of the most important factors when it comes to overall patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, safety outcomes, and quality of care. When patients trust their nurse, they are more likely to share critical information, ask questions, and actively participate in their care plan.

Learn how you can build patient trust in nursing, why it matters, and strategies you can implement to improve patient relationships in any healthcare setting.

Patient Trust in Nursing: Why it Matters

Gaining patient trust in nursing is important because it directly affects:

• Compliance with treatments
• Medication adherence
• Overall patient satisfaction with care
• Reduction in anxiety and fear
• Improved health outcomes
• Lower risk of complaints or legal issues

When patients feel safe and respected, they are more likely to disclose symptoms, social concerns, or medication issues that could otherwise go unnoticed.

Communicate Clearly and Consistently

Clear communication in nursing is the foundation of patient trust. You cannot expect patients to trust you as a healthcare authority if you are unable or unwilling to explain treatment plans in terms they can understand. 

Use Plain Language

Avoid medical jargon when explaining diagnoses or procedures. Nurses have high levels of medical knowledge, but most patients do now. You must strive to use plain language that patients can understand. For example, instead of saying, “You’re experiencing tachycardia,” say, “Your heart rate is higher than normal.”

Confirm Understanding

A good way to confirm understanding is to use the teach-back method where you ask the patient to repeat back what you’ve explained in his or her own words. “Just to make sure I explained that clearly, can you tell me how you’ll take this medication at home?”

Be Honest

If you don’t know an answer, admit it. Noone, including a nurse, is expected to know the answer to every question. It is completely ok to say: “That’s a great question. Let me find out for you.”

Being upfront and honest—even when admitting uncertainty—will build credibility with patients.

Practice Active Listening

Patients often decide whether they trust you within the first few minutes of interaction. A patient who feels their nurse is actually listening to their fears, needs, concerns, questions, etc. is much more likely to trust and confide their nurse. 

To demonstrate active listening:

• Make eye contact
• Sit at eye level when possible
• Avoid interrupting
• Reflect back what you hear

Show patients they are important to you by taking the time to listen and respond as they communicate. This validates their concerns and shows you are fully present.

Show Empathy, Not Just Efficiency

Healthcare can feel rushed — especially with a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals available to meet patient needs. However, small moments of empathy in healthcare can make a significant difference in perception. Responding with empathy helps patients feel seen—rather than processed.

Respect Cultural and Personal Differences

Cultural competence is essential in modern nursing. If you want to build trust with a patient, you must show them that you understand where they are coming from and respect their individual views and values. 

Be mindful of:

• Religious practices
• Family involvement expectations
• Language barriers
• Personal modesty preferences

Be Reliable and Follow Through

Trust erodes quickly when promises aren’t kept. If you tell a patient that you will do something as a nurse, you need to do everything in your power to make sure that you follow through on that promise. 

If you say you’ll:

• Bring pain medication at a specific time
• Check on lab results
• Return with supplies

It’s important to follow through promptly. If there’s a delay, make sure you communicate changes in your ability to deliver with the patient. Showing that you are a reliable professional communicates to the patients that you are someone who can be trusted and someone worthy of their respect. 

Maintain Professional Boundaries

Professionalism builds confidence. You must maintain appropriate boundaries as a nurse by ensuring you:

• Protect patient privacy
• Avoid oversharing personal details
• Keep conversations patient-focused
• Uphold HIPAA standards

Patients trust nurses who maintain discretion and composure. A misstep in these areas will hurt the overall nurse/patient relationship and make it very difficult to gain back trust that was lost. 

Demonstrate Clinical Competence

Patients are more likely to trust nurses who showcase care competence. Competence demonstrates your ability to care for and heal the patient which will build their trust in you as a healthcare provider. 

Remember that competence isn’t just built by what you say. Patients observe:

• Your confidence
• Your organization
• Your technical skills
• Your knowledge when answering questions

Continuing education, certifications, and advanced nursing pathways can enhance both skill and patient confidence. Nurses who pursue professional growth and career advancement by moving from LPN to RN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN, and other career advancements often feel more confident—and patients notice.

Advocate for Your Patient

Advocacy in nursing is central to good practice. Nurses are the voice and protector of patients, especially for patients who are vulnerable or unable to speak for themselves. 

Patients quickly recognize when a nurse is in their corner. Read more in our Nurse Guide to Patient Advocacy. 

Protect Dignity at All Times

Patients are often in very vulnerable situations and protecting their dignity can help build feelings of emotional safety. Small actions matter when it comes to maintaining patient dignity:

• Knock before entering a patient room
• Explain procedures before touching patients
• Provide privacy during exams
• Address patients by their preferred name

Manage Difficult Conversations with Compassion

Sometimes the strongest bonds of trust are built during the more difficult moments we spend with another person. Whether you find yourself discussing a new diagnosis, delayed discharge, unexpected complications, or other difficult topic, remain calm, honest, and supportive. Avoid getting defensive or arguing with the patient. Focus on problem-solving together and how you can help.

How New Nurses Can Build Trust Quickly

Building patient trust is just as important, sometimes even more important for nurses newer to the field. If you’re early in your career, focus on:

• Consistency
• Preparation
• Asking clarifying questions
• Seeking mentorship
• Reflecting after each shift

Your confidence will grow with experience, but it is possible to build trust by intentionally practicing these tips. 

The Long-Term Impact of Patient Trust

Trust is a valuable skill that can, and should, be developed by all nurses. When nurses consistently build patient trust, healthcare outcomes improve. Patients feel safer, families feel reassured, and nurses experience greater job satisfaction and professional fulfillment.

Trust also supports:

• Stronger nurse–patient relationships
• Reduced workplace conflict
• Higher job satisfaction
• Improved team collaboration

Trust isn’t built overnight - it takes consistency

Building patient trust as a nurse is not about one-time grand gestures. Patient trust is achieved through consistent actions done over time such as:

• Listening
• Explaining
• Following through
• Showing empathy
• Advocating

Each patient  interaction is a chance for you, as a nurse, to reinforce trust. Choose to be intentional in every interaction with patients. By focusing on communication, empathy in healthcare, competence, and reliability, you can create a care environment where patients feel respected, safe, and confident in their treatment.