Qualities of a Great Nurse
More than a career, nursing is considered a vocation. It demands much of those who choose to pursue it. The long and arduous working hours it requires can make it a very challenging job to have. To be a great nurse, there are certain qualities that you need to have.
- Empathy
Being a nurse means that you need to interact and communicate with people of different personalities on a daily basis. More so, the people you are usually talking with are those afflicted with disorders and illnesses. They are in pain and they need care and attention. A nurse should be able to put herself in the patient's shoes to better understand the patient's condition.
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- Endurance
Nurses do not have the luxury of having even a single break between a day's work. Getting breaks are rare and nurses savor them. With the responsibility of having to check on ten to twenty patients a day, the job can be physically tiring. A nurse should always be physically ready everyday to take on every task assigned to her.
- Conscientiousness
Every nurse should be conscientious when it comes to her work. Every chart should be filled out correctly and carefully. Medications should also be given on time and most importantly, they should be given to the right patient. Being conscientious and organized are two essential qualities every nurse should have to ensure every patient's safety.
- Quick thinking
A nurse should be a quick thinker. This quality can be honed by having a good nursing education. Being in nursing school is the training ground where would-be nurses can be trained to be quick thinkers. At work, emergencies often happen. That is why nurses need to be alert and quick in terms of action and thinking.
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- Patience
Patience is indeed a virtue, especially for nurses. It is quite common to deal with patients who are short-tempered and hardheaded. This may be due to their pain, whether psychological or physical. To be a good nurse means to be able to withstand possible tantrums and deal with complaints from patients.
Despite the many problems and challenges that every nurse face, nursing is still a very rewarding a career. If you have always dreamed of becoming a nurse, you might want to work on having the abovementioned traits. Of course, choosing the right school for your nursing education can also significantly help you in becoming a great nurse.
