Something that I was not prepared for as a nurse was how many people would want my attention at every second of the day. Patients, families, physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, housekeeping, receptionists, pharmacists… literally everyone. Combine that with a constantly evolving task-list, dynamic patient conditions, and soon every single second counts. But you don’t want to seem rude and just walk away or ignore them. Here are some realistic communication tips for nurses on how to graciously bring a conversation to a close so you can get back to business!