Nurses need to be ready to respond quickly to emergencies and other situations that arise. Nurses who adhere to this code of ethics demonstrate competence, continuing self-improvement and personal self-care (wellness). Positive Attitude. As a Medical Laboratory Technician, I am also adopting some of these qualities. Nurses may be able to dress wounds in seconds, place urinary catheters without faltering or start an intravenous line with a blindfold on, but without the ability to think on their feet, high-pressure situations will be stressful. The most important qualities of a good nurse leader is… 4. Your patience will be tested just about every single day. I understand I am not required to provide consent as a condition of considering purchasing education services from Daymar. This list of qualities that good nurses tend to share is long, but it shouldn't be intimidating. Understand and have the ability to be compassionate. 20. 5. That can be tough for nurses who are impatient to see improvements they know will make their work easier and improve the lives of their patients Over time, this can create a gap between nurses, administrators and policymakers that leads to professional discontent. Also. And probably the requirements for a lot of jobs, This is a great list for anyone thinking of entering the medical profession in any capacity, be they consultant to hospital porter. Research shows that a nurse’s compassion can actually help lessen a patient's suffering. Watching a lot of medical dramas has really convinced me to pursue nursing as my degree program. How did the nurses make them feel during the lowest point of their lives Maya Angelou summed this up well when she said: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”. What was once the standard and safest practice five years ago could be considered an unsafe practice and risky today. August 2004 - Volume 104 - Issue 8 Previous Abstract; Next Abstract; Log in to view full text. The willingness to care for one’s body, mind and spirit and the self-esteem necessary to understand that meeting their own needs helps them better care for others is the one prescription today’s nurses can’t work without. Effective Interpersonal Skills. Don’t forget about the other potential difficult coworkers such as providers, hospital administrator and so forth. What they are and why they’re necessary. Through proven verbal and non-verbal techniques, therapeutic communication helps nurses make patients feel more relaxed and willing to share their concerns. Certain qualities of a good nurse are essential when asking for a raise, applying for a new job or asking for a job promotion. One of a nurse's main jobs is to take direct care of patients. It’s a rare day that ends with a to-do list that looks the same as when it started. Good nurses know that an excellent interpersonal skills are needed to work with so many personalities and disciplines. Did I mention you’re dealing with messy family dynamics at the same time? They only see people who don’t seem to care about their needs. Respect for the rules within the healthcare industry, however, is also important. Compassion means different things to everyone, and for nurses, the mission is to discover what those things are and act on them. Nursing is one of those professions where flexibility is essential. Be mindful not to get burned out by these emotions and feelings. That can occasionally put nurses at odds with both colleagues and the people they serve. 2. Empathy is defined as understanding and experiencing one’s feelings (source). Everything in healthcare is subject to prioritization, but because issues in a medical setting are continually evolving, nurses need to prioritize tasks at the start of their shift and re-prioritize them throughout the day as things change. A strong sense of right and wrong helps nurses work through challenges and gives them a moral compass with which to consistently make decisions that are in a patient’s best interests, especially when the right thing to do isn’t obvious. They breathe discernment. To give high-quality care, you need to pay attention to details. They may put off making difficult decisions or opt to decline care entirely rather than risk embarrassment by asking questions they believe will make them seem uninformed or unintelligent. A Good Nurse Is Discerning . Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1192d79d263dd4d7b6097670bef5919" );document.getElementById("d01a4ecaf7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. Effective communication contributes to positive patient outcomes. Practices for technology, procedures, and medications seem to be continually changing. In 1996, Congress passed a bill designed to ensure the confidentiality and security of personal healthcare information. Having a deep awareness of and sympathy for someone else’s suffering without judgment is the root of compassion. Medication errors and incidents involving client and staff safety are among the top mistakes attributed to nurse fatigue. Simple things such as making eye contact with patients and family members are all part of the job and can go a long way in uplifting the spirit of your patient. As a nurse, you are the liaison connecting the puzzle for all the care members. I suggested to my parents that we look for a nurse for him, and we are doing our research to find the best candidate. Professional respect, flexible job opportunities, advancement potential and the chance to make a difference in people’s lives are just some of what it offers. Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate facts and come to rational conclusions objectively. With an estimated 2.86 million RNs in the U.S., it’s helpful to consider these 13 qualities of a good nurse that will help them be successful in navigating and thriving in today’s fast paced and everchanging healthcare landscape. New Health Advisor Contact Us Similarly, reporting an error or unethical behavior on the part of a colleague can create stress in the work environment, but as a professional, it’s a nurse’s duty. A nurse’s job is mentally demanding. For nurses, it means putting themselves in their patients’ shoes and trying to understand how they perceive what’s going on around them. Qualities of a good nurse : You must be Cheerful and relates very well to your patients and colleagues. A good leader pushes its subordinates and gets them motivated for doing the right task. I’m looking for a good nurse for my dad. Few careers are as personally rewarding as nursing. You’ll likely see these people at their worst. “Bound by paperwork, short on hands, sleep, and energy…nurses are rarely short on caring.”, “A nurse dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription.”. You can sit around and whine and complain all day long, but the professional nurse sees a problem and takes it upon themselves to help address the issue. So, what qualities make a good nurse? For more info, please see my disclaimer. For example, what if you had a personal history of abuse and are caring for a patient who has a history of abuse. Of that, nearly an hour is lost due to disorganized work stations. Good nurses recognize how their patients feel and know how to navigate not only the care given but also their own emotional responses. Like other therapeutic communication techniques, it takes practice, but anyone willing to change their communication style can learn to express themselves more effectively and with confidence. Triage, the process of prioritizing how and when patients receive care based on the severity of their condition, is an important concept in medicine, and it’s perhaps a nurse’s most vital role. The community trusts nurses to do their job with integrity. Continuing education makes you more knowledgeable in current practice, and certification makes you look more competent and professional. 3. For nurses, the principle of autonomy, a patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions without undue influence, always takes priority, regardless of the choices they make. Nurses need to understand that their patients are human beings that are probably stressed, scared, depressed, upset, in pain, and confused. The excitement of learning new skills and consistently doing different things is part of the appeal of nursing as a career, but it also makes flexibility one of the top qualities every good nurse needs. Today’s nurses are also required to be culturally competent. Healthcare facilities provide training and equipment to make these tasks less strenuous, and while that reduces costly staff injuries and improves patient safety, it doesn’t alleviate many of the physical demands of being on a busy orthopedic floor for 12 hours a day. Great list of skills!!! Top Qualities of an Exceptional Nurse. When good nurses are hit by pressure, they might stumble, but they do not go down completely. Mentoring A nurse manager is willing to mentor nurses whenever possible. Everything can and will test your patience at some point. Good nurses breathe instinct. Graduating from a vocational school is a noteworthy accomplishment, but it’s just the beginning. You’re going to deal with tough situations that might challenge your beliefs, perception, and personal bias. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. They are quick to meet the needs of their patients by providing exceptional care. The key to personal and professional satisfaction is for nurses to choose where they work based on what best fits their lifestyle. My husband and I are looking for a nursing home, so we’ll have to make sure they communicate well. Advocacy is a very important trait of a good nurse. Quite often, health care work is simply the response to sudden incidences, and nurses must always be prepared for the unexpected. The 5 attributes of a great nurse. They help identify areas of … Nurse see patients from every walk of life. Each day can bring a range of powerful emotions including joy, surprise, sadness and frustration. If someone drops the ball, the consequences can be devastating. Nursing is a profession dedicated to caring for others, and it can be physically, emotionally and mentally demanding. You’re going to be in challenging and high-stress environments. This list of qualities that good nurses tend to share is long, but it shouldn't be intimidating. There are roles for nurses that require less strenuous physical activity than others including working in doctor's offices or administrative positions, but to be successful and able to respond effectively to emergencies in fast-paced settings, it helps to have stamina. Great nurses understand that patience can overcome anxiety, misunderstandings and help patients and colleagues feel empowered by good decisions. Bad nurses leave a terrible lasting impression, and good nurses will leave a remarkable feeling. An effective nurse is one who can not only fulfill, but also anticipate patients’ needs. What Makes a Good Nurse Leader. One of the most important qualities of a nurse is attention to detail. Caring. Today, medical information may only be exchanged between healthcare providers when necessary and with consent. 10. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. Words like kind, gentle and caring top the list, but most equate compassion with doing the little things they don’t expect a nurse to do as part of providing medical care. Nurses are required to be helpful and compassionate, but they are capable of making tough decisions and administering medical care to patients when no doctor is around.