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Let’s face it; the nursing profession isn’t ideal for everyone. It takes a special kind of person to do this job and to do it well. We at AMRI, a leading provider of online ACLS and PALS certifications, have found that there are traits that are common among the top nurses in this country and have listed the top ten below. Having strong skills in all these areas is necessary in order to be at the top of your game as a nurse.
So, without further ado, we present to you the top 10 traits that are common among great nurses:
Nursing often requires working long shifts, tending to large patient loads, engaging in heavy lifting and spending long periods of time on your feet. As such, the job can be very physically demanding and requires you to have strong work ethic. Those who are unable or unwilling to meet the almost constant physical demands of the job don’t last very long in this field.
Nurses see and treat all kinds of patients, and these patients will have different emotional and medical needs as well as differing reactions to your care. Often, patients and family members are under a lot of stress, whether due to fear, pain or anxiety. How they react to this stress can be unpredictable and this requires you to be adaptable and flexible with how you deal with the various people you come in contact with each day.
In this job, you will need to communicate information about patients to doctors and other nurses. You will also have to be able to effectively explain things that you are doing to the patients in order to set their minds at ease. The ability to read people well and explain yourself clearly are extremely important in the nursing field.
Even more important that being able to express yourself clearly to your patients and coworkers is the ability to listen to what they are saying to you. You need to be able to carry out instructions exactly as given by doctors and other nurses as well as to listen to complaint and problems as expressed by patients. Sometimes a patient may be explaining a symptom that is important to note, while other times they may just need a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. Which leads us to the next trait…
To best be able care for patients, a good nurse must be able to understand what patients are going through. This compassion must extend to visiting family members as well as they tend to be even more frightened or confused at times. A compassionate nurse can make a huge difference for everyone. These nurses are often remembered fondly and can even make situations better by introducing a bit of optimism.
Nurses see a range of emotionally trying situations, both positive and negative. Some may become attached to their long-term patients. These patients may improve and move on or may pass away under their care, and each situation can be emotionally trying. Other times, they must treat badly hurt or very ill children or witness grief and other extremely upsetting situations. Unless you have the emotional stability to handle the ups and downs of the job, your career in the nursing profession may wear on you over time.
Nurses must always be prepared for the unexpected. If something goes wrong with a patient, you may need to think quickly and take fast action. You must have the confidence and judgment skills to make tough decisions without the need to over-think or over-analyze the situation. Acting quickly can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
A great nurse will always stay focused on details and will be careful not to make errors or skip crucial steps. Keeping detailed notes on patients’ charts, giving medication in exact doses and remembering information about difficult cases are all extremely important practices. A slip in precision can have dire consequences to the patient in question.
Patients and coworkers can sometimes be overbearing or difficult. If you lack patience, this negativity can alter your attitude and can lead to stress that affects how you do your job. A good nurse will remain calm and patient when dealing with difficult situations and will be best equipped to maintain a positive attitude.
Doctors, hospital administrators, other nurses and patients must all be able to depend on you. This means that you must be someone who can be on time, accurate and able to follow complex instructions to a T. If you tell a patient that you will be right back with pain medication, you should not allow yourself to become distracted and forget about your patient’s needs. When patients and staff can consistently rely on you, you become more highly regarded in your profession.
Do you have what it takes to be a great nurse? Though it is a hard job that is frequently under-appreciated, those with the right personality traits report greater job satisfaction and are more likely to get noticed among their peers as a great nurse.
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