ExplicaExplica
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    ExplicaExplica
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    • Home
    • Tech
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • Science
    ExplicaExplica
    Explica » Health » Skills and traits you will need to succeed as a nurse
    Health

    Skills and traits you will need to succeed as a nurse

    Jennifer SilvaBy Jennifer SilvaJanuary 19, 20236 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Email
    Skills and traits you will need to succeed as a nurse
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Are you keen on getting into nursing? While challenging, working as a nurse is immensely rewarding. You are at the heart of ensuring people get the care they need. Without nurses, millions of lives may be at stake.

    However, as you may imagine, nursing is a career that requires a specific set of skills. You will not only need to be ready to learn and adapt to complex situations, but you will also need to have a healthy temperament and attitude to go far.

    Here are the most important skills you will need to have — and hone — if you want to succeed as a nurse:

    Confidence in making decisions

    Being confident in what you do is a given. When making important decisions, however, you will need to be especially confident if you want to grow in the healthcare industry.

    Nurses bear many responsibilities. While doctors and surgeons make tough calls on their own, nurses, too, will need to make the ‘final call’ in high-pressure circumstances.

    Therefore, you will need to think on your feet. There may be a situation where the clock is ticking — and you will need to draw on your experience and knowledge to make calls that you confidently believe are right.

    Versatility

    While you can certainly niche down into the type of nursing that appeals to you, adaptability is a great skill to start out with. Being versatile means you can easily adapt to any challenges the day may present to you.

    For example, you may need to cover an emergency shift at the last moment in a different hospital. Or, you may have to head to a specific ward to help support other nurses dealing with difficult patients.

    Providing you are able to move quickly and adapt smoothly to various challenges, you will find the varied work of an on-call nurse thrilling.

    A willingness to learn

    While you will learn many different skills when training as a nurse, you should always be ready to learn every day you are on the job. Ultimately, this is a role that will provide you with unique, complex new cases every day. You are always learning.

    In fact, provided you are always keen to learn, you do not have to be a nurse to get into healthcare in the first place. Online accelerated BSN programs for non nurses (such as through Baylor University) are great for people who want to care for others, and who are passionate about learning new skills.

    Crucially, you will find that every day in nursing provides brand new experiences. That means within a few years, you will have a wealth of knowledge you can share with others.

    Communication

    Open communicators thrive in nursing careers. Consider all the people you are likely to communicate with while working shifts in a hospital or at a clinic. You will likely need to work in a team of other nurses and will have supervisors to answer to.

    The more easily you communicate with others, the quicker you will find effective solutions in patient care. Moreover, communication skills can help you update patients in a way that calms and reassures them.

    You will also need to be ready to share bad and good news. Sadly, nursing always carries its fair share of joys and tragedies. Being able to communicate clearly on both sides of the coin is a must.

    An open mind and attitude

    The best nurses are those who are always open to change and who genuinely want to care for others. Without passion for the role and an open mind in everything you do, you will likely find it difficult to grow in healthcare.

    A great attitude for nursing is one based around compassion. You will need to be a team player, and you will often need to put your own comforts to one side so you can ensure patients get the care they need.

    This means you will also need to keep a steely resolve. While your team and supervisors will support you as much as possible in intense situations, with a poor attitude, you will not get the support you demand.

    Problem solving

    The best nurses are born problem solvers. They are willing to think beyond the usual procedures and treatments to look for new ways (within ethical boundaries) to help patients recover from various illnesses and ailments.

    Given that no two patients’ demands are ever the same, it stands to reason that nurses need to be able to solve problems on their feet and often on their own. You will face puzzles that require a cool head and an analytical mind.

    Over time, you will find more complex problems and cases are easier to map out and resolve. While patients will always differ in their needs and profiles, a nurse that is learning on the job can always draw on their previous experiences and education. As mentioned above, you never stop learning.

    Empathy

    Empathy comes easily to some people, but not all. For many, showing empathy may be difficult, possibly as a result of low self-confidence. However, if you are naturally empathetic and find it easy to connect with others, you are already one step closer to becoming a nurse.

    However, there is a line to keep in mind. Empathy is important, but you will also need to keep yourself invested ‘enough’ in patient cases. As mentioned, nurses will see joy and tragedy over their careers. As such, investing yourself too deeply with patients may trigger emotions you may not be able to control.

    Balancing empathy with keeping a cool head is not easy. If you can invest yourself enough in patient lives without getting personally affected, you will go far as a nurse. You will learn these skills at university and on the job — providing you are willing to.

    Conclusion

    Nurses are truly spectacular people. They handle thousands of complex cases a year, often tasked with saving lives or helping people get comfortable. They are resilient, unfazed, and always ready to take on new challenges.

    When it comes to new skills, learning can be difficult at the best of times. But, providing you are willing and open to new experiences, you are likely to find a lot about nursing you enjoy.

    You will learn a lot as a nurse at both university (online or offline) and on the job. However, having the above skills are always likely to propel you ahead.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleSo Different SUVs: How to Find the Balance Between a City-Dweller and an Off-Road Adventurer
    Next Article How To Kill Bed Bugs Effectively
    Jennifer
    Jennifer Silva

    Jennifer Silva has been a news editor at Explica.co for over two years. She has a degree in journalism from the University of South Florida and is passionate about writing and reporting the news.

    Related Posts

     What is vitamin D?

    January 18, 2023

    There are seven reasons comfortable shoes matter

    January 10, 2023

    How to care for an elderly relative: What can I do?

    December 28, 2022

    Here are Six Reasons Why You Should Include Healthy Snacks In Your Diet

    December 25, 2022

    Everything You Need To Know About Eyeglasses

    December 25, 2022

    How do you choose the best air filters for asthma and allergies?

    December 23, 2022
    Follow Us on Google News

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest news directly to your inbox.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • LinkedIn
    • Reddit
    Tips to prepare for a licensed social worker exam
    March 2, 2023
    eCommerce Marketplace Software – How to Find the Best Fit
    February 27, 2023
    3D Streaming Cam: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best One
    February 21, 2023
    4 Kicking Designer Dresses for Females
    January 22, 2023
    How To Kill Bed Bugs Effectively
    January 21, 2023
    Skills and traits you will need to succeed as a nurse
    January 19, 2023
    So Different SUVs: How to Find the Balance Between a City-Dweller and an Off-Road Adventurer
    January 19, 2023
     What is vitamin D?
    January 18, 2023
    Explica
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn RSS
    • Contact Us
    • Write For Us
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    Explica.co © 2023

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.