Breaking news means that an urgent and important event has occurred, requiring a news broadcast to break the format of its regular coverage. This can be an unwelcome change, such as a sudden death or a major development, or something that has been looming but has suddenly become urgent, such as a military conflict or economic crisis. The term “breaking news” is most often used on television and radio, but it can also apply to newspaper articles and other media sources.
When you’re the bearer of bad news, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that the person receiving the information is suffering greatly in the moment. It’s also easy to fixate on your own experience and how you’re feeling about it, which can erode the effectiveness of your communication.
Breaking bad news is one of the most sensitive challenges that all NPs will face, sooner or later. It may be a diagnosis of a terminal illness, a treatment failure, or the decision to discontinue life-saving care.
The best messengers take time to prepare themselves and empathize with their recipients. They find out what the recipient already knows, as well as what they expect to happen, and they explore their individual circumstances and history. Ideally, it’s best to deliver the news in person so that the receiver can ask questions and seek emotional support. But if this isn’t possible, video calls or even email can be good alternatives.
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