5 Great Qualities of Nurses
- Compassion
- Sense of Responsibility
- Good Time Management Skills
- Team Player
- Strong Communication Skills
Nursing is a field that is very important in our society, particularly in our healthcare system. It’s even been said that nurses are the backbone of a healthcare system. Patients typically spend more time with nurses than any other healthcare professional, and the care the nurses provide can play an important role in promoting good mental health to patients, which can also greatly improve the patient’s physical health. Registered nurses must have a degree and complete a formal training program, but it takes more than just education to become a good nurse. Here are five characteristics you might find in a good nurse.
1. Compassion
Of all the characteristics it takes to make a good nurse, compassion is probably at the top of the list. Nurses seldom see patients when they’re healthy and feeling good. In most cases, the patient is suffering from some sort of illness or accident and needs compassion from the medical staff, whether it’s in a clinic or the hospital. A good nurse can show compassion, empathize with patients during their time of need, and treat them as individuals. Nurses also encounter patients of all ages and must show the same great sense of compassion with all patients.
2. Sense of Responsibility
Nurses have a lot of responsibility throughout their workday whether they’re working alongside a doctor in a clinic or are part of a nursing team in a hospital. Nurses must be responsible for each patient that’s under their care and provide them with the individual care they need. In addition to providing care to patients, nurses must also do paperwork and administrative duties. These duties must be done regularly throughout their day. Nurses are also responsible for reporting to the patient’s family and collaborating with other members of the healthcare team.
3. Good Time Management Skills
Nurses must have not just management skills but must have good management skills. There is a lot to be done throughout the nurse’s day, and they must be able to effectively and efficiently manage their time. When a nurse reports for work in a hospital, the nurse is given a list of the patients that will be under his or her care for that shift. Nurses must be able to manage their time in a manner that provides all patients with proper care while still having time for paperwork and similar hospital duties.
4. Team Player
Nurses are part of a team regardless of what type of healthcare setting they work and must be good team players. When a patient receives medical care, just one person seldom provides it. The patient typically sees a nurse, a doctor, medical assistants and possibly other healthcare professionals. The professionals must be able to work together as a team. Of all the medical professionals a patient sees, the nurse is probably the one the patient sees the most. To provide the best possible care to patients, nurses must be good team players.
5. Strong Communication Skills
Communication is important in all professions but probably none so much as in the nursing profession. Whether the nurse is collaborating with other healthcare professions, explaining health issues with a patient, educating family members on treatment options or communicating with the next shift of nurses, a nurse must have good communication skills. They must not only understand what they’re saying but must be able to communicate this to others. Some patients may be at the worst stage of their life and will need a nurse that can effectively communicate the important facts.
Related Resource: Top 10 Christian College Nursing Programs
Nursing is not only a rewarding career but also a career that’s growing more every year. Registered nurses are predicted to see job growth of 12 percent between 2018 and 2028 according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Nurses who have the best career options and opportunities are generally the ones who possess the above-mentioned characteristics.