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Everyone loves a good nurse. They’re the ones who take care of patients and their families. They work more hours than they should but always stay positive. And they make life a whole lot easier for the entire medical staff.
All nurses are great, but some stand out. Here are 15 of the best traits we see in the nurses we work with every day.
Confidence
As with most things in life, confidence is key in nursing! We know that sometimes nursing can get pretty nerve-wracking, but the best nurses don’t let their nerves get the best of them. They know how to stay calm and trust what they know, so every day they work the hospital halls like they would work the runway.
Trustworthiness
Being trustworthy in general is good, but it’s particularly important for work as a nurse. The best nurses are always dependable. Their coworkers, doctors and patients trust that they’re always going to get the job done, and they’ll do a good job with it.
Trustworthy nurses are always the first to hold themselves accountable. They don’t leave work until they’ve done everything they said they’d do, and they don’t cut corners with their work.
Empathy
Nurses work with patients who are often scared, in pain or nervous about what’s going to happen. It’s crucial they understand that patients and their families are going through a hard time. The best nurses offer encouragement and support for their patients while staying professional. Sometimes all this takes is acknowledging how a patient feels and offering a comforting smile or hug.
Humor
Of course nurses have to take their job seriously, but there are times when everyone needs a bit of comic relief. The best nurses know the line between taking their job seriously and lightening the mood. They crack a joke once in a while, do a little dance, and bring smiles to people around them. Comedy makes everyone happier and also makes the work easier.
Precision
A sense of humor and empathy don’t really matter if a nurse isn’t good at what he or she does. The best nurses care about precision, customer service, and getting patients better as soon as possible. Even more, great nurses are always trying to improve their skills. They ask their supervisors how they can improve, they take the time to refresh what they learned in nursing school, and they see constructive criticism as a blessing.
Communication
Whether a nurse works in a hospital, clinic or doctor’s office, he or she needs to be on the same page as the other staff members. Good nurses know how to communicate effectively, which means talking clearly, frequently, and openly. Nurses should make an effort to keep their doctors and patients connected so that everything runs smoothly.
Efficiency
Nurses need to be able to think fast, work efficiently and be ready to go at a moment’s notice. The best nurses are used to the hurried nature of their field and can help out quickly in times of emergency.
Flexibility
Think of working as a nurse like working on a professional sports team: The stakes are high, there’s lots of pressure and it takes lots of training and skill. Sports team members could never be successful on their own, and neither can nurses. The best nurses know how to work with their coworkers to get the best results. They don’t take all the credit, and they want everyone to succeed. Go team!
Organization
Good nurses always keep track of patient paperwork, keep their work stations clean, and keep an eye out for anything that’s not where it should be. This eliminates mistakes and helps things run smoothly for everyone.
Skill
Your peers and your patients rely on you to know what you’re doing in just about every medical situation. All those hours you’ve invested to master new procedures, equipment, and observational experience matter a lot.
Compassion
You’re genuinely motivated to relieve suffering wherever you find it. You might skip a meal, or sleep, or some other personal comfort to get the job done, but you find it nearly impossible to walk away when one of your patients or coworkers is having a rough time.
Stamina
Long shifts. Long procedures. Hours of monitoring, watching, and waiting. Miles of walking from floor to floor, room to room, to labs, supply, radiology, and back again. Even the training is tough, just to work your way into the profession. Nurses know how much stamina it takes to be great at their jobs. Long after others are giving out, giving up, or taking breaks, nurses keep on working and giving.
Enthusiasm
Every nurse has an individual style, and there’s no one personality type that can be successful. Still, bringing your whole self to work and showing up with some cheer and energy goes a long way toward raising your quality of life at work. It also makes the day a lot more enjoyable for the people you work with.
Patience
People may not always be the best problem solvers, but their creativity can seem endless when it comes to finding new ways to test your patience. Even the toughest cases somehow find the energy to press their call button hundreds of times a day. And those bed sheets you just changed five minutes ago? Forget it. Nurses are among the most patient people on earth, and we love them for it.
Friendliness
Last but certainly not least, nurses should be friends with the patients, doctors, and healthcare team members they work with. In a hospital, a smile goes a long way and a happy demeanor goes even further. Great nurses take the time to compliment the people around them, listen to their patients’ stories and help coworkers in need. They then reap the benefits of being kind.
Are you ready to bring these great skills to the perfect position? Check out RNnetwork‘s open travel nursing jobs and get to work!
