The recent coronavirus outbreak has seen a rise in people looking to show their gratitude to their nation’s caregivers by changing their career path and becoming a nurse. This year many nursing schools have seen a large increase in admissions and inquiries.
The interest in training as a nurse is on the rise, and it’s an extremely rewarding career to get into if you possess the right qualities.
However, entering into the nursing profession comes with a significant responsibility that can involve dealing with patients that are experiencing some of the most vulnerable and significant moments in their life.
As well as the right training, nurses must rely on their inherent qualities to become what many see as the “ideal” nurse.
If you want to get into this career, here are just some of the qualities that many consider vital in becoming a nurse:
1. Compassion
Being compassionate is undoubtedly one of the most important qualities of a nurse.
In the recent pandemic, the ability of nurses to provide compassionate, personalized care for patients and their families, has been crucial in getting through this devastating time.
To become a nurse, you should understand the importance of showing kindness in healthcare, particularly when working closely with patients.
2. Empathy
Like compassion, you need to have empathy to be a good nurse.
Empathy means being able to understand the thoughts and feelings of your patient without actually experiencing them yourself.
The ability to empathize helps nurses establish a nurse-patient relationship and demonstrate compassion for patients suffering from all types of disease and illness.
3. Patience
Those who are tolerant and have patience are better able to care for others. Whether they are working in the emergency room or handling visitors at a nursing home, they have to remain patient despite their surroundings.
Patience is a key virtue of being a good nurse.
4. Sense of Advocacy
As a nurse, you are responsible for giving your patients information to better understand their diagnosis or treatment. You must also speak on behalf of or help patients discuss their feelings. For example, if their wishes conflict with those of their family.
Nurses need to help bridge the gap between patients and their healthcare providers.
It will be your job to advocate to improve or maintain the quality of care that your patient receives.
5. Willingness to Learn
The world of healthcare isn’t what it used to be, and nurses are responsible for changing with it.
As well as learning new techniques, new procedures, and new equipment, nurses have to be willing to learn from other clinicians and patients.
You should also be willing to pursue certifications and further your education as a nurse.
Enrolling in online DNP programs is a great way for registered nurses to further their training at the highest level of nursing practice. You can gain further qualifications and specialize in pediatrics, midwifery, and even family nursing.
6. Foresight
Nurses count as the patient’s primary protection. You should be able to read between the lines and be able to anticipate issues by observing and examining.
Things like recognizing patient’s change of behavior and then helping them get proper medical care can make a huge difference.
7. Listening Skills
To examine the patient thoroughly, you have to be very sensitive to what they say.
It’s not only important for nurses to listen to the physician’s orders. They also have to pay constant attention to the probable hidden meaning behind patient’s words.
On top of this, they also have to tune in to the remarks of the patient’s relatives.
8. Communication Skills
Communication goes way beyond just talking to a patient. Nurses need to have great communication skills to deliver the best care possible.
On top of listening attentively, you have to consider how you communicate.
What you should say, the way you say it, as well as hearing from patient’s relatives and friends or another physician, can have a big effect on the quality of the care you can administer to a patient.
For example, you need to understand the difference between tones.
Nurses use a softer and more polite voice when they want to make their patients feel comfortable when delivering news. You need to have slightly harder tone while discharging instructions or explaining medications.
9. Time Management Skills
As a nurse, you have to be able to manage your time. You could have anything from 10 patients at once on a hospital floor to just 3 patients in ICU through the whole of a 12-hour shift.
Nurses also often have to give information to the family of the patient if they request an update. This also goes for additional emotional support.
Being able to balance your basic nursing duties with these emotionally draining extra responsibilities means it is vital you are able to manage your time.
Good time management skills also help nurses avoid workplace burnout.
If you can avoid creating stressful situations by prioritizing your jobs, you can ensure that your energy levels won’t be drained.
Training as a nurse can be incredibly rewarding, especially as we continue to fight against coronavirus. But not everyone can be a nurse.
Nursing requires just as much critical thinking and time management as it does patience and compassion. However, if you have these qualities, then you are ready to start your training as a nurse right away!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
