Breaking news is a term used by journalists to describe breaking stories that are happening right now or that need immediate attention. These events often involve significant and unexpected developments with a wide-ranging impact on society, such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, political scandal, or major scientific discovery. On the other hand, soft news is less time-sensitive and focuses on entertainment or human-interest topics such as celebrity interviews, fashion trends, or travel stories.
It is challenging to be the bearer of bad news, particularly if it’s about someone close to you. However, it is important to be able to break the news in a timely manner and with sensitivity and respect. While you can’t make the situation better, you can make sure that you are communicating it in the best possible way.
To do this, you need to decide how much of the detail you want to reveal and how you will deliver it. You should also anticipate any follow-up questions and be prepared to answer them honestly. It’s also a good idea to run what you want to say by someone else who is unconnected to the situation and can give honest feedback.
NPs frequently must convey bad news, and developing a communication strategy for doing so can help them feel more prepared and confident. Using common templates such as the six-step SPIKES protocol8-10 can help NPs prepare for this difficult task. However, there are many aspects to this process that can’t be controlled, such as the reaction of the person receiving the news and the context in which the conversation takes place.
About the Author
