Sharing a personal experience helps nurses comfort patients facing surgery.

A Simple Line, Big Impact: Self-Disclosure in Nursing Communication

Imagine this moment: a patient sits on the edge of a chair, hands fidgeting with a blanket, eyes wide with questions about an upcoming surgery. The room feels heavy with uncertainty. In that moment, a nurse speaks—not with clinical certainty alone, but with a touch of shared humanity. The goal isn’t to reveal everything about the nurse’s life, but to bridge fear with empathy. That bridge can start with a single, carefully chosen sentence.

Why self-disclosure matters in Nurse’s Touch communication

Self-disclosure is a powerful tool when used thoughtfully. It’s not about turning the patient into a confessional diary, but about signaling: I see you. I’ve stood where you stand. Your feelings are real, and they’re not unusual. When a nurse shares a personal reaction to a similar situation, it creates a human moment in a clinical space. And in healthcare, human moments matter.

Think of it this way: fear isn’t just about the unknown of the procedure. It’s also about the human experience of vulnerability—being dependent, worried about outcomes, and unsure who to trust. A line that nods to shared experience can normalize the emotion without brushing it aside or rushing a response. It can quiet the inner voice that whispers, “I’m alone in this.” It’s not about making fear go away instantly; it’s about making room for the fear to be spoken, understood, and addressed.

What the right line looks like—and why it works

Among typical options you might encounter on a test or in clinical rehearsal, one line stands out as therapeutically sound: “I hear your concern. I felt the same way before having the same surgery myself.” The strength of this statement lies in three ingredients:

• Validation: It acknowledges the patient’s feelings directly. No glossing over, no clichés.

• Normalization: It says that fear is a human experience, even for the nurse. That shared nuance invites the patient to speak more openly.

• Boundaries plus warmth: It offers a personal touch while keeping the focus on the patient’s experience, not the nurse’s anecdote alone.

Contrast that with other common lines:

• “I have seen many patients go through this successfully.” This is comforting, but it lacks a personal, empathic touch. It risks sounding like a group statistic rather than a human connection.

• “Others often feel frightened about surgery too.” Helpful in normalizing, but it doesn’t show the nurse’s own stance or reassurance drawn from real shared experience.

• “It’s important to stay positive about the procedure.” Positive language is good in moderation, but this can feel dismissive of the patient’s current anxiety and may shift focus away from the patient’s feelings.

In short, a line that quietly reveals a similar personal experience, while centering the patient’s worry, tends to build trust faster. It’s the difference between a doctor reciting facts at you and a nurse saying, “We’re in this together, and I’ve been there, too.”

How to use self-disclosure safely and effectively

Self-disclosure can be a humane, comforting instrument—but it needs careful handling. Here are practical guidelines to keep it appropriate and therapeutic:

• Keep it concise. A single, sincere sentence works better than a long backstory. The goal is connection, not confession.

• Stay on topic. Share an honest reaction to the same situation, not a whole heap of unrelated experiences.

• Be mindful of timing. Use self-disclosure after you’ve validated the patient’s feelings and before you pivot to practical information or coping strategies.

• Don’t overshare. Boundaries matter. A personal anecdote should never replace professional reassurance, clear information, or procedural explanations.

• Read the patient’s cues. If the patient seems overwhelmed, you might pause and ask, “Would you like to hear how others have coped with this?” If they nod, you can share a brief line or redirect to supportive resources.

• Tie it back to care. After sharing, move into listening, questions, or concrete steps the patient can take to feel more at ease.

A quick script you can adapt

Let me explain how this can play out in real time. You can tailor the exact words to your voice, but the structure stays steady.

• Patient: “I’m really scared about the surgery.”

• Nurse: “I hear your concern. I felt the same way before having the same surgery myself.”

• Patient: (pauses) “Really? You felt scared too?”

• Nurse: “Yes. It’s completely natural. Here’s what helped me—ask questions, bring a trusted person to the pre-op visit, and have a simple plan for after surgery. What would be most helpful for you right now to ease your mind?”

That last part matters. It doesn’t end with the admission of fear; it immediately offers practical steps and invites the patient to participate in the plan. This is where trust solidifies.

If you want a couple more mini-dialogues, here are variations you can adapt:

• Patient: “I’m worried about being alone in the recovery room.”

Nurse: “I hear your concern. I felt the same way before my procedure. You’ll have staff nearby, and you can press the call button anytime. Let me walk you through what to expect during transfer to recovery.”

• Patient: “What if something goes wrong?”

Nurse: “I hear your concern. I felt the same way before the surgery I had years ago. We have checks and teams in place, and I’ll be with you to ask questions and make sure you’re comfortable with the plan.”

These variations stay focused on the patient, use personal empathy, and transition into concrete information—an essential balance.

Where this approach fits into the bigger picture of therapeutic communication

Nurse-patient encounters aren’t only about delivering information. They’re about shaping a relationship in which the patient feels seen and heard. Self-disclosure, when used judiciously, complements other communication skills:

• Active listening: Nod, reflect, paraphrase what the patient says. Let them feel heard before you add your own perspective.

• Open-ended questions: “What worries you most about the procedure?” invites the patient to share specifics rather than a one-word answer.

• SBAR-style clarity: When you move from fear to plan, you can structure information in Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation terms to keep things coherent and calm.

• Emotional cues: A small, appropriate touch of empathy—tone, pace, breath—can make the exchange feel warm instead of clinical.

A real-world note: not every client will want to hear a personal story

That’s okay. Not every patient wants or needs a personal disclosure. The key is to read the room. Some people crave connection; others want straight information and reassurance. You can adapt. If the patient doesn’t respond to a personal line, pivot to validation and practical planning—still supportive, still patient-centered.

Balancing warmth with professional boundaries

A small risk with self-disclosure is crossing the line into too much intimacy or sharing details that aren’t necessary. You want to preserve professional boundaries while being genuinely human. Here are a few guardrails:

• Decide what’s relevant. If your personal experience directly informs the patient’s concerns, it’s more likely to be helpful.

• Avoid medical information you aren’t certain about sharing in your own experience. Stick to your feelings, not medical claims.

• Gauge the patient’s reaction. If they seem unsettled, switch to listening and problem-solving rather than elaborating on your own story.

• Keep the focus on the patient’s needs. The patient should feel that the disclosure serves their comfort and understanding, not that you’re seeking personal connection at their expense.

Why this small moment can have a big ripple

A single, thoughtful sentence can do more than quiet fear for a moment. It can seed trust for the whole care journey—from pre-op to post-op recovery. Patients who feel connected are likelier to ask questions, adhere to instructions, and engage with their care team. That engagement can translate into smoother logistics, clearer consent, and better comfort during a scary process.

If you’re studying Nurse’s Touch-style communication, here’s the throughline to carry forward: concern acknowledged, personal resonance offered when appropriate, and a clear turn toward actionable support. Together, these moves craft a conversation that feels both competent and compassionate.

A quick refresher, so you can spot the right move in the moment

• The appropriate line to use when addressing fear: “I hear your concern. I felt the same way before having the same surgery myself.”

• The why: it validates feeling, normalizes fear through shared experience, and keeps the focus on the patient’s needs.

• The contrast: generic normalization or an overly positive frame can feel hollow or dismissive.

• The guardrails: keep it concise, relevant, and patient-centered; read the room; don’t overshare.

Tying the thread back to everyday nursing practice

Patient comfort isn’t a luxury; it’s a cornerstone of good care. Self-disclosure is one thread among many that weave into a broader tapestry of therapeutic communication. It’s not the lone instrument, but when used well, it can soften edges, invite openness, and set the tone for a constructive conversation about surgery and beyond.

A final thought you can carry into your next clinical moment: empathy isn’t about pretending you’ve never felt fear. It’s about showing that fear is a shared thread that connects us all. When a nurse says, “I felt the same way,” it doesn’t erase the patient’s worry. It acknowledges it, shares a human experience, and gently points toward a plan that helps the patient move forward.

If you’re exploring how to elevate your communication toolkit, consider this line as part of a broader approach: listen first, reflect honestly, and connect through authentic, careful self-disclosure when it serves the patient’s needs. The goal isn’t to impress with personality—it’s to create a space where fear can be faced together, with clarity, care, and confidence. And that space? It’s exactly where healing begins.