Nurses currently make up the largest percentage of healthcare workers in the nation, and the number of nurses seeking out their certification and nursing practice license will only continue to rise.
The nursing profession tends to attract people who possess an innate desire to help others and be selfless. Apart from the overall satisfaction of being a healthcare practitioner, nursing also offers the opportunity to take up leadership roles and explore many avenues for growth and career progression in the healthcare industry.
Since the number of nurses becoming certified to practice in various medical fields increases by the day, aspiring nurses should understand the qualities, skills, and characteristics required as this will help them to perform their job more effectively and boost their productivity levels when providing medical care to their patients.
It’s also important for medical institutions to be on the lookout for these qualities when bringing aboard new nurses. This will ensure that the nurses hired are a good fit for the hospital culture and will uphold and uplift the medical standards of the healthcare institution.
Another key thing to note is that by healthcare leaders taking the time to hire nurses with strong skills, they can effectively spot nursing professionals who can take up leadership positions, and not only inspire other colleagues, but the patients they interact with as well.
If you are thinking about transitioning into a nursing career, this guide will be of great assistance in providing you with more information about the professional qualities and traits required of you.
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5 Top Qualities and Skills of a Good Nurse
Caring
While it may seem obvious to the general population that people would specialize as a healthcare professional because they are naturally caring, this is not always the case. Since the healthcare profession, and nursing specifically, offers opportunities for a stable career and job progression, many people pursue it as a strategic move to secure their future. Sometimes it could be that they chose this path because they didn’t have any other career options in mind.
However, those who inherently have a caring attitude tend to enjoy more success in fulfilling their daily responsibilities.
A huge chunk of a nurse’s time is spent interacting with and caring for patients. A nurse who cares naturally can inspire trust in their patients, and this results in the building of a bond between patient and nurse.
Effective Communication Skills
To practice as a nurse, you need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Unlike autonomous professionals like software engineers, who spend a vast majority of their time working behind closed doors, nurses are expected to interact with other nursing colleagues, doctors, physicians, patients, and families too.
So, it’s safe to say that a nurse who isn’t able to articulate themselves in a friendly, concise, and eloquent manner is more likely to make errors, particularly when communicating with doctors regarding a patient’s diagnosis.
A nurse who doesn’t communicate well will often leave patients feeling ignored and misunderstood when it comes to their medical condition.
If you are a nurse or an aspiring nurse, you must prioritize practicing your communication skills since it will help you provide safe and effective care to your patients.
If you are ambitious about ascending the healthcare corporate ladder, possessing excellent interpersonal and communication skills will play a key part in your career progression.
Attention to Detail
Working as a nurse means you can thrive in an environment that is not only filled with intense pressure but also requires you to multitask and prioritize the needs of your patients while still completing other allocated tasks.
As a nurse, your role will involve a lot of consultations with both physicians and doctors, as they will confer with you about a patient’s medical prescriptions and care plans.
You must always be on your toes to avoid making errors and conveying inaccurate information about your patients. It’s advisable to have a notebook with you to scribble down pieces of information passed on from doctors and physicians.
Writing down information can help to combat forgetfulness and human error since you will always have a point of reference.
Problem Solving Skills
In nursing school, most of the information and skills passed on to aspiring nurses will relate to medical practice. However, some skills aren’t taught by these institutions, forcing professionals to pick them up while performing their job.
One particular skill that nurses should learn while completing on-the-job training is the ability to problem-solve and provide solutions to tough situations. Some people have natural problem-solving abilities, but for those who don’t, it can take years of experience to sharpen and perfect this skill.
Problem-solving skills are vital in the nursing profession because nurses are often tasked with making tough decisions about a patient’s condition, which ultimately affects the recovery process of the patient.
Stamina
One aspect of nursing that many people overlook is the physical pressure that nurses have to endure daily.
This can range from lifting patients to help them adjust comfortably in their hospital beds, to walking miles per day going from ward to ward to check up on the wellbeing of various patients.
Possessing physical stamina can help you to become an excellent nurse, admired by both patients and coworkers for your hard work.