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There are very few professions that are more gratifying and fulfilling than nursing. However, it is imperative to recognize that nursing isn’t an easy job; it’s one of the most demanding professions out there. It requires individuals to acquire unique attributes, characteristics, and skills to flourish and advance in their careers.
The healthcare industry is constantly growing, which means there are more opportunities for determined individuals to pursue a fulfilling career in nursing. However, becoming a successful nurse requires distinct skills and characteristics. If you’re an aspiring nurse or a practicing nurse looking to advance in your profession, here are the six essential qualities you need to thrive and succeed in your career:
1. Strong Educational Background
Nursing is a continually growing sector that requires individuals to remain updated with the latest industry trends to provide safe and effective patient care. A solid educational foundation lays the groundwork for understanding the theories, concepts, and practices that underpin nursing and paves the way for success in your nursing profession. It also assists you in developing and honing crucial soft skills necessary for professional growth and career advancement, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making abilities. Nursing education also assists nurses in developing the capacity to assess, analyze, and respond effectively to challenging and complex situations.
The conventional educational path for aspiring nurses is to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you’re a working nurse looking to advance your career, you can opt for an on-campus or online master of science in nursing degree. Both online and on-campus MSN programs have their unique benefits. Online MSN follows the same course outline but provides the flexibility of taking online classes irrespective of your location. With an MSN degree, you can take up leadership roles in nursing and advance your career in your specialized field.
2. Demonstrate True Professionalism
To become a successful nurse, it’s imperative to maintain high standards of professionalism in all aspects of your job – from dealing with patients to collaborating with other healthcare professionals and working in extended teams.
As a nurse, you are responsible for providing high-quality care to patients, administering medication, coordinating and preparing for medical procedures, and managing patient data while maintaining ethical behavior and demonstrating true professionalism. Even when dealing with difficult patients or families, it is important to maintain professionalism and treat your patients with decency and respect.
As a healthcare worker, you will deal with people of diverse age groups, ethnicities, religious or cultural backgrounds, and communities.
3. Strong Analytical and Critical-Thinking Skills
Nursing is a highly dynamic and challenging profession. Each day, you come across new scenarios that develop quickly. You must be able to assimilate new information as it comes in, assess the situation, identify any potential problem, and make decisions in the blink of an eye. This is why you must have strong analytical and critical thinking skills to excel in your nursing career.
Critical thinking abilities are an essential asset for every nurse, and they are especially critical in triage circumstances where you need to assess patients quickly. You must also be able to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.
By polishing your critical thinking and analytical skills during your nursing degree, you’ll be better prepared to deal with any circumstance that arises, and you’ll be able to provide the best possible outcomes for your patients.
4. Effective Communication
Effective communication is a necessary skill for any nurse. As a nurse, you have to deal with patients, their families, healthcare teams, peer nurses, and other hospital staff members. You are responsible for educating patients and their families on self-care, certain diseases, treatments, medication administration, and targeted diets. Even the slightest miscommunication can affect patient outcomes as it may lead to medication mistakes, missed lab tests, or inaccurate patient information.
To become a successful nurse, you must hone your communication skills in all areas, including speaking, listening, comprehending visual and social cues, and understanding body language. It’s not only about speaking and listening; it’s about ensuring that your patients and their loved ones feel heard and comprehended.
5. Patience in High-Demand Situations
Nursing is a stressful job and one of those professions that require high levels of patience at all times, especially during stressful and uncertain situations. Even on a routine day, you may encounter difficult patients who may question your expertise and knowledge or peers who may be stressed out. Most of the time, you’ll be too busy running around and coordinating tasks, leaving no time for respite. Moreover, educating patients and their families on their health and treatment methodologies may be too time-consuming and tiresome.
To become a successful nurse, you must stay calm under pressure and avoid stress. You must remain composed during critical situations or when dealing with difficult or multiple patients. While patience usually comes with experience, you can explore effective stress-management techniques, such as yoga and meditation, to manage stress and keep cool during uncertain circumstances.
6. Demonstrate Empathy
Empathy is one of the fundamental characteristics and an essential soft skill that a nurse should possess. Studies show empathy is directly associated with high-quality patient care, higher patient satisfaction, and lower readmission rates.
As a nurse, you must be able to understand the feelings of patients, their families, and your coworkers without making any judgment. A good nurse knows how to connect with others on an emotional level and listen actively to their concerns. They show compassion and kindness and make their patients feel heard and understood. This helps build trust among patients, determine the best course of treatment according to patient’s needs and preferences, and improve patient outcomes.
There are many things you can do to develop empathy. First and foremost, try to strengthen your active listening skills and give full attention to your patients when they’re communicating with you. Show respect and diligence to patients in your interactions with them and provide the reassurance they need during critical situations.
Wrapping Up
Nursing is a demanding profession that requires unique skills to thrive. We’ve listed some of the most important qualities a nurse must have to succeed in their career.
However, the most important aspect to remember is that consistency is key to your success in nursing. At every point of your career, you must commit to continuous learning and improvement and aim for professional development.
Remember that success is a journey, not a destination. Therefore, keep working hard and dedicated to giving your patients the best possible care.