Table 1.

NURSE mnemonic [11]

Naming	“It’s normal to be upset by the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.” Name the emotion you see or expect. Don’t be afraid to be wrong.
Understanding	“Thank you for sharing that, it really helps me have a better understanding of where you are coming from.” Focus on understanding as a process not a destination (avoid saying “I understand how you feel”).
Respecting	“At this time I can’t foresee a way that a repeat MRI would be helpful. At the same time, I respect the way you are advocating for your mother and ensuring she gets the best care possible.” Consider respecting statements when you sense tension about the patient/family wanting unnecessary or unproven tests/treatments.
Supporting	“Know that I will do my best to walk this road with you and help find the most effective treatment. You can always reach out to me with more questions by phone.” Supporting statements are a good part of the wrap up to a difficult conversation.
Exploring	“It would help my understanding of your situation to hear more about…” Exploring statements are less an empathic communication tool and more a way of moving the conversation forward to find other opportunities for empathy.

The NURSE mnemonic provides a tool for remembering commonly used empathic communication techniques. These are of particular importance during difficult conversations.