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What are some helpful tips for better bedside manner?
I'm currently a freshman Health Science major (Respiratory Therapy Concentration); Since I have never worked a job based in the hospital, I am a little nervous for when I start the program and eventually clinicals. What are some tips that can help me build confidence and develop good bedside manner as I prepare to work with patients.
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Jo Ann’s Answer
First, feeling nervous and insecure is completely normal. Confidence will come with knowledge building and experience.
Study and learn as much as you can while in school. Then, when you land that job, continue to study and practice skills at home. This will help build your confidence. You will most likely be on hospital orientation for a couple months. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge and skills, while having the benefit of the expertise of a more seasoned professional at your fingertips.
When you come off orientation, and you have your own patient load, take your time to think things through, and pay attention to detail. If you feel overwhelmed, or need assistance, always ask for help. Get to know which staff members are willing to help. There are always co-workers who are more eager to assist, and some who are not. (I always loved the opportunity to assist others)
Volunteer to assist with procedures, and help co-workers when needed. Even if you are just an additional set of hands, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn and assist co-workers at the same time.
Bedside manner:
Take the time to listen. Answer questions and explain procedures, so patients know what to expect. If you don't know the answer, be honest about that. Assure them you will find out the answer for them, and follow through.
Also, if you are rushed for time, again, ask for help. No healthcare professional is at their best when they are feeling stressed out.
Finally, always think of how you would want yourself or a loved one treated, and then try to strive to meet that expectation. Given that you are concerned about having a good bedside manner, I strongly suspect you already have the qualities to make you a wonderful caregiver.
Study and learn as much as you can while in school. Then, when you land that job, continue to study and practice skills at home. This will help build your confidence. You will most likely be on hospital orientation for a couple months. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge and skills, while having the benefit of the expertise of a more seasoned professional at your fingertips.
When you come off orientation, and you have your own patient load, take your time to think things through, and pay attention to detail. If you feel overwhelmed, or need assistance, always ask for help. Get to know which staff members are willing to help. There are always co-workers who are more eager to assist, and some who are not. (I always loved the opportunity to assist others)
Volunteer to assist with procedures, and help co-workers when needed. Even if you are just an additional set of hands, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn and assist co-workers at the same time.
Bedside manner:
Take the time to listen. Answer questions and explain procedures, so patients know what to expect. If you don't know the answer, be honest about that. Assure them you will find out the answer for them, and follow through.
Also, if you are rushed for time, again, ask for help. No healthcare professional is at their best when they are feeling stressed out.
Finally, always think of how you would want yourself or a loved one treated, and then try to strive to meet that expectation. Given that you are concerned about having a good bedside manner, I strongly suspect you already have the qualities to make you a wonderful caregiver.
Updated
Larry’s Answer
Hi Kamyla, great question! And congratulation on becoming a future RT, because it is a wonderful career and an important skill to have! I want you to know it is completely fine to feel nervous. When I started my Respiratory Therapy school, I also felt the same way, due to the reason that I have never worked with any patient before in any healthcare setting. But don't worry, you will be prepped appropriately by your school, and also you have to put in your own effort to learn as well. Now I will provide you the tips for school, and also the clinical rotation tips for bedside knowledge.
SCHOOL TIP#1: When you start your program, the first few months you will be taking mostly the required Gen-Eds courses (anatomy, statistic, etc.). You won't be doing any clinical rotations while you are doing Gen-Eds courses.
SCHOOL TIP #2: Connect with your classmates, you guys will be future coworkers. RT world is very very very small, you'll be surprised, and also you will hear this being mentioned a lot.
SCHOOL TIP #3: Once you're in the "Core RT courses", most schools won't let you do clinical rotations yet for the first introductory RT course.
SCHOOL TIP #4: After the first RT course, most schools will make you do clinical rotations (2-3 days/week) while still going to class (2-3 days/week).
SCHOOL TIP #5: Most likely this course will be a Mechanical Ventilator course. This is the MAIN CORE of our profession, you need to try as hard as you can on this class. This will not be an easy class, in fact, this is the class that wiped out a lot of people. This class is why our profession exists. A super important tip to handle this class is you have to understand the concepts instead of memorizing it.
SCHOOL TIP #6: Question and study both the right AND wrong answers. Stay after class or lunch to ask questions. Remember, no questions are stupid questions, I kept telling my students this. Lower your ego, connect with people, ask questions, because sometimes the questions that you ask, can save that person if he or she forgot the answer to it. Learn and grow together as a team.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #1: Before you walk into a facility, remember, you are a guest, you are shadowing and working under their licenses. They risk their licenses for you, so please be considerate and carry yourself professionally. Please do know they are not required to take you. This is a phase where you will have to conduct yourself professionally, treat every place you visit as your work-interview because the facilities for your clinical rotations might be your potential future workplace. And remember when I said "RT world is very small" earlier? Trust me, words spread faster than you'll think. I have seen many people destroyed their names before they even got to become an RT, and some were even kicked out of the RT program the moment they got themselves in trouble with their RT preceptors at the clinical sites. Ego is your worst enemy, drop it before it drops you.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #2: Please be mindful when you follow your preceptor, don't ask too much questions when they are busy doing something such as during a code blue. Save them for later.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #3: During down time, take this opportunity to ask your preceptor and his coworkers if you can do anything else for them (This might be a work-interview test that they might do to you silently). If nobody has anything for you, this is the time that you ask questions, remember earlier when I said, no questions are stupid questions, ask ask ask, if you cannot understand their explanations, ask them to describe it another way or search it up on the side, do not pretend you know the answer. If you can't think of any more question to ask, then go play with the ventilators that are standby in the department. Play around with it, study the physics behind it, understand it, especially if you are currently in a mechanical ventilator course or you'll be taking it next term. Because this is exactly what I did that's why I thought mechanical ventilator course was the easiest for me.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #4: When you are shadowing your preceptors, you should be 100% focused and then ask questions to why they did that first, last, etc. Please do not speak over or before your preceptors and other medical staffs in any situation as a student. Sometimes ask your preceptor if you can do it for them, then ask yourself why did you do that, why did you have to do it before the other, etc., repetition and having a mindset of initiative will build knowledge and confidence. This is the foundation to improve your bedside skills.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #5: Do not be a know-it-all person and making random diagnoses or give comments to family members about a patient's condition, ESPECIALLY if this is your first clinical rotation, because they could definitely backfire on you. Know-it-all people are blinded by their own ego and pride, thus prevented them from obtaining new knowledge and wisdom.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #6: You will 100% see bad preceptors, they could make you cry, belittle you, make you look stupid, kill your confidence, etc., but please remember, you are working under their licenses, you have no right to speak, just be grateful that you are allowed to be there. This is the reason why I said earlier some people could get kicked out the program or they can even risk themselves landing a job and need to move out of states, because like I said, RT world is small. These preceptors might be your future coworkers.
(In my experience, I was one of the unlucky students that had almost 80% bad preceptors that made my life miserable. This is when I convinced myself that when I became an RT, I will always treat my students with respect and change the social norm within our field. Because I truly believe that most people became rude/bad preceptors because they had the same treatment I had from their preceptors when they were students, therefore, the action from doing that somewhat appeared to be "normalized" and became a social norm. We are all equals, we all come from the same shoes once, so we should always respect each other and continue to learn and grow together each day. So I really do hope you will do the same thing I did. Because this is the only way to effectively challenge and balance the existing negative social norm.)
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #7: When you get home from your clinical rotation, always reflect and touch up on every single thing you did at the site. This is the moment that you can connect the dots from the things you did at the clinical site to your classroom materials. As a result, this will help you at both your classroom and your clinical rotations.
When you follow all of these steps correctly, your confidence and bedside skills will naturally flow accordingly. Please join a Facebook group called "Respiratory Therapy Breakroom", this is where the RTs around the world get together and help out each other. I truly wish you the best of luck and success in everything that you do, and may God bless you.
SCHOOL TIP#1: When you start your program, the first few months you will be taking mostly the required Gen-Eds courses (anatomy, statistic, etc.). You won't be doing any clinical rotations while you are doing Gen-Eds courses.
SCHOOL TIP #2: Connect with your classmates, you guys will be future coworkers. RT world is very very very small, you'll be surprised, and also you will hear this being mentioned a lot.
SCHOOL TIP #3: Once you're in the "Core RT courses", most schools won't let you do clinical rotations yet for the first introductory RT course.
SCHOOL TIP #4: After the first RT course, most schools will make you do clinical rotations (2-3 days/week) while still going to class (2-3 days/week).
SCHOOL TIP #5: Most likely this course will be a Mechanical Ventilator course. This is the MAIN CORE of our profession, you need to try as hard as you can on this class. This will not be an easy class, in fact, this is the class that wiped out a lot of people. This class is why our profession exists. A super important tip to handle this class is you have to understand the concepts instead of memorizing it.
SCHOOL TIP #6: Question and study both the right AND wrong answers. Stay after class or lunch to ask questions. Remember, no questions are stupid questions, I kept telling my students this. Lower your ego, connect with people, ask questions, because sometimes the questions that you ask, can save that person if he or she forgot the answer to it. Learn and grow together as a team.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #1: Before you walk into a facility, remember, you are a guest, you are shadowing and working under their licenses. They risk their licenses for you, so please be considerate and carry yourself professionally. Please do know they are not required to take you. This is a phase where you will have to conduct yourself professionally, treat every place you visit as your work-interview because the facilities for your clinical rotations might be your potential future workplace. And remember when I said "RT world is very small" earlier? Trust me, words spread faster than you'll think. I have seen many people destroyed their names before they even got to become an RT, and some were even kicked out of the RT program the moment they got themselves in trouble with their RT preceptors at the clinical sites. Ego is your worst enemy, drop it before it drops you.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #2: Please be mindful when you follow your preceptor, don't ask too much questions when they are busy doing something such as during a code blue. Save them for later.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #3: During down time, take this opportunity to ask your preceptor and his coworkers if you can do anything else for them (This might be a work-interview test that they might do to you silently). If nobody has anything for you, this is the time that you ask questions, remember earlier when I said, no questions are stupid questions, ask ask ask, if you cannot understand their explanations, ask them to describe it another way or search it up on the side, do not pretend you know the answer. If you can't think of any more question to ask, then go play with the ventilators that are standby in the department. Play around with it, study the physics behind it, understand it, especially if you are currently in a mechanical ventilator course or you'll be taking it next term. Because this is exactly what I did that's why I thought mechanical ventilator course was the easiest for me.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #4: When you are shadowing your preceptors, you should be 100% focused and then ask questions to why they did that first, last, etc. Please do not speak over or before your preceptors and other medical staffs in any situation as a student. Sometimes ask your preceptor if you can do it for them, then ask yourself why did you do that, why did you have to do it before the other, etc., repetition and having a mindset of initiative will build knowledge and confidence. This is the foundation to improve your bedside skills.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #5: Do not be a know-it-all person and making random diagnoses or give comments to family members about a patient's condition, ESPECIALLY if this is your first clinical rotation, because they could definitely backfire on you. Know-it-all people are blinded by their own ego and pride, thus prevented them from obtaining new knowledge and wisdom.
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #6: You will 100% see bad preceptors, they could make you cry, belittle you, make you look stupid, kill your confidence, etc., but please remember, you are working under their licenses, you have no right to speak, just be grateful that you are allowed to be there. This is the reason why I said earlier some people could get kicked out the program or they can even risk themselves landing a job and need to move out of states, because like I said, RT world is small. These preceptors might be your future coworkers.
(In my experience, I was one of the unlucky students that had almost 80% bad preceptors that made my life miserable. This is when I convinced myself that when I became an RT, I will always treat my students with respect and change the social norm within our field. Because I truly believe that most people became rude/bad preceptors because they had the same treatment I had from their preceptors when they were students, therefore, the action from doing that somewhat appeared to be "normalized" and became a social norm. We are all equals, we all come from the same shoes once, so we should always respect each other and continue to learn and grow together each day. So I really do hope you will do the same thing I did. Because this is the only way to effectively challenge and balance the existing negative social norm.)
CLINICAL ROTATION TIP #7: When you get home from your clinical rotation, always reflect and touch up on every single thing you did at the site. This is the moment that you can connect the dots from the things you did at the clinical site to your classroom materials. As a result, this will help you at both your classroom and your clinical rotations.
When you follow all of these steps correctly, your confidence and bedside skills will naturally flow accordingly. Please join a Facebook group called "Respiratory Therapy Breakroom", this is where the RTs around the world get together and help out each other. I truly wish you the best of luck and success in everything that you do, and may God bless you.
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Listen, Listen and be compassionate, but don't get pushed around. Bedside manner goes a long way when the patient and family respect your care, knowledge and dedication. Use it to your advantage!
Updated
James’s Answer
Others have offered good advice. I would echo a couple points:
1) Listen actively and with intention. Repeat/rephrase questions if needed to assure that you truly understand what the patient needs from you.
2) "I don't know" is the right answer when you don't know. Others on the healthcare team may know the answer, and sometimes nobody knows. Patients don't love the fact that we often have to speak in terms of possibilities and probabilities - certainty is not common.
3) Do make eye contact, but also note that there are cultural differences in how patients prefer to engage. It is OK to ask the patient/family how they like to communicate. However, I have had patients and families who did not want me to be honest with bad news. I have always said that I must be truthful - with apologies.
4) Don't physically speak downward at people try to get your face at a level of theirs, be it sitting or standing.
5) Try to avoid medical jargon, but encourage them to stop you when you (almost certainly) do use medical words with which they are unfamiliar. Most patients aren't going to know words like tidal volume, alveoli, expectorate...
1) Listen actively and with intention. Repeat/rephrase questions if needed to assure that you truly understand what the patient needs from you.
2) "I don't know" is the right answer when you don't know. Others on the healthcare team may know the answer, and sometimes nobody knows. Patients don't love the fact that we often have to speak in terms of possibilities and probabilities - certainty is not common.
3) Do make eye contact, but also note that there are cultural differences in how patients prefer to engage. It is OK to ask the patient/family how they like to communicate. However, I have had patients and families who did not want me to be honest with bad news. I have always said that I must be truthful - with apologies.
4) Don't physically speak downward at people try to get your face at a level of theirs, be it sitting or standing.
5) Try to avoid medical jargon, but encourage them to stop you when you (almost certainly) do use medical words with which they are unfamiliar. Most patients aren't going to know words like tidal volume, alveoli, expectorate...
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
It’s completely normal to feel nervous before starting clinicals, especially if you’ve never worked in a hospital setting. Good bedside manner starts with simple but intentional habits: introduce yourself clearly, explain what you’re doing before you do it, and speak in a calm, steady tone. In respiratory therapy, especially, patients may already feel anxious or short of breath, so your demeanor can either increase or decrease that anxiety. Listen carefully, show empathy, and treat every patient with dignity and respect. Confidence will grow as your knowledge and technical skills improve, so focus on mastering your fundamentals while also practicing strong communication. Patients don’t expect perfection; they appreciate kindness, honesty, and someone who genuinely cares about their comfort and safety.
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi kamyla👋🏻...
It’s completely normal to feel nervous before stepping into clinical settings. Nobody walks into a hospital for the first time already knowing how to talk to patients. Bedside manner is something you grow into with practice, and you can start building the foundation long before your first clinical day.
A good place to begin is simply slowing down when you interact with people. Patients notice when you’re present with them, even for a few seconds. Looking them in the eye, calling them by name, and explaining what you’re about to do makes them feel safe and makes you feel more grounded.
Try to listen more than you talk. Patients often tell you what they need without directly asking for it. A small pause after they speak gives them room to share something important.
If you don’t know what to say, that’s fine. You can always fall back on simple reassurance: “You’re doing great,” “I’ll walk you through this,” or “I’m right here with you.” You don’t have to be poetic; you just have to sound human.
Outside the hospital, pay attention to how you communicate in everyday life. Do you rush? Do you interrupt? Do you freeze up? All these habits show up at the bedside too, and noticing them now makes everything easier later.
Once you start clinicals, watch how experienced therapists and nurses handle tough moments. You’ll see a hundred different styles, and you’ll naturally borrow the ones that feel right to you.
Confidence comes from repetition, not personality. Every interaction teaches you something, and before long you’ll look back and realize you’re the one calming people down. Bedside manner grows the same way muscle does: a little practice, again and again, until it feels like second nature.
It’s completely normal to feel nervous before stepping into clinical settings. Nobody walks into a hospital for the first time already knowing how to talk to patients. Bedside manner is something you grow into with practice, and you can start building the foundation long before your first clinical day.
A good place to begin is simply slowing down when you interact with people. Patients notice when you’re present with them, even for a few seconds. Looking them in the eye, calling them by name, and explaining what you’re about to do makes them feel safe and makes you feel more grounded.
Try to listen more than you talk. Patients often tell you what they need without directly asking for it. A small pause after they speak gives them room to share something important.
If you don’t know what to say, that’s fine. You can always fall back on simple reassurance: “You’re doing great,” “I’ll walk you through this,” or “I’m right here with you.” You don’t have to be poetic; you just have to sound human.
Outside the hospital, pay attention to how you communicate in everyday life. Do you rush? Do you interrupt? Do you freeze up? All these habits show up at the bedside too, and noticing them now makes everything easier later.
Once you start clinicals, watch how experienced therapists and nurses handle tough moments. You’ll see a hundred different styles, and you’ll naturally borrow the ones that feel right to you.
Confidence comes from repetition, not personality. Every interaction teaches you something, and before long you’ll look back and realize you’re the one calming people down. Bedside manner grows the same way muscle does: a little practice, again and again, until it feels like second nature.
Thank you for the advice.
Kamyla