1. Jack of all trades
I am an LPN of 21 years! I feel I have been a witness to so many experiences and situations and am grateful! Yes, the job gets so hectic and you must be a jack of all trades. Sometimes you can’t give all to everyone all the time; first and foremost is your patient!
Delegation is a hard job for me because I feel and think that everyone working needs to do their job, and if they don’t, then I will do it and sometimes exhaust myself mentally and physically. I do not know any other way! I LOVE being what God made me for!!!
—JoBeth
2. Team player
I have been a nurse in Michigan for 23 years. I have seen the changes in our technology, and tons of documentation and state regulations, and it has become quite the business for all companies, namely pharmaceuticals. What is really sad is to see the heart of nursing forced to change by all the pressure put on us. WE are mostly and hopefully in nursing for the true compassion we have for human beings. Unfortunately, a lot of people are getting into it for the “job security and supply and demand” and for the steady income. The “policies” our companies implement are a setup for failure for nurses, as we are seen as expendable, easily replaced, etc. [We have] worries about “being written up,” which leads to doom and possible termination!
Team support in nursing is a rare quality that is burdened to those FEW of us who still TRY to influence our other nurses to be thoughtful and kind and try to trust each other, as we are all in the same boat. Because of all these micro-sub-management positions being created, it leads to nurses becoming cruel and competitive, for more hours, positions, work stations, schedules, etc. It’s exhausting, but I stay faithful it will get better!
—Viktoria
3. The right attitude
I have been in nursing for 30 years. Med carts should be kept clean and organized, period. It just makes it easier to work. MIA nurses scare me and I wonder how they get away with it. Climbing the ladder should be via smart work and higher education. I have seen many people get manager positions without the backup they needed and were quickly demoted. Hard work, knowledge and attitude are what really help us to stay focused. My love of nursing has always been at the bedside. But above all, we must take care of ourselves first so we can be our best and do our best at work. When we leave at the end of the day, leave the job at the door. Take it off like a jacket and focus on home once you leave.
The problem I have noticed in nursing is the lack of support we give each other. We no longer have the post-clinical conference to hash out what just happened. We do need a place to vent, to make sense of what just happened. Be supportive of each other and be honest. Help each other grow and love each other for the individuals we all are. If you go home miserable every night, then you are probably in the wrong spot for you. Nursing is demanding—we all agree on that. Attitude is everything.
—Shirley Buchanan-Skeen
4. Humility
I am a firm believer that a nurse who says that they have never made a mistake is a nurse who should never, ever, ever be trusted. Not even in a crisis and they are the only person in the hospital…they are too perfect and perfect people have never had that gut check moment where you are like “Oh, crap. That was really close. I have to be more careful! I could have really hurt that patient.” When a nurse is perfect, they have nowhere to improve to.
—Linsey
5. Documentation prowess
Be the best nurse you can be and find peace of mind in that (easier said than done, I know). And when being your best isn’t enough for the borderline personality disordered clipboard-toting types, document, document, document—on your interactions with them, and anyone else you think may have a stick up their nether regions and is out to cause headaches for you. A key word with a date and time on your report sheet and a saved draft in a (non-work) email account that can be appended to are priceless when the time comes.
—Acey
6. Flexibility
After being in the profession for over 25 years, it is hard to believe that fellow coworkers are so petty. Gossip runs rampant and no good deed goes unpunished…I believe in returning favors, sharing your energy and time so all of us on our shift get to leave at a reasonable time and no one is left hanging. Be flexible and be kind.
—Jacki
7. Thick skin
I have been a nurse for about eight years. I have seen so many surprised faces when I walk into a room. Generally I am accepted almost immediately, but at times I am rejected. I do not take it personally, but I believe it is just a perception that all nurses should be female. I enjoy what I do very much and don’t allow negative comments to affect my work. I am glad you have started this blog to express the feelings of men in nursing.
—Allen, RN
8. Never makes assumptions
I had a very scary learning experience about a year after I began working as an RN on the med-surg floor where I had been a CNA for five years prior! I felt sooo comfortable that I got very cavalier and careless. If the IV supply drawer said 500cc NS, then that’s what MUST BE in the drawer. I picked out a bag, pierced it, hung it, left the room for 10 minutes and when I came back to hang the antibiotics, I discovered to my horror that I had hung NS with 25,000 units of HEPARIN!!! Thankfully I took it right down and the patient was unharmed, but I learned to slow down and READ EVERYTHING! That’s why they spell ASSUME the way they do!!! It makes an “a**” out of “u” and “me” when you don’t take your time and pay attention to everything you do, no matter how “simple” it may seem!
—Noreen
9. Respect
As an LPN, I have learned from many people with a variety of initials after their names. We can all help to “make or break” our fellow employees. I will be forever grateful to the CNA who taught me how to put a pull-up on a resident sitting on the toilet without removing his pants…this trick has probably saved me hours throughout the years. I once worked with an RN who pointed out the fact that a lot of RNs only have one to two more years of schooling than LPNs or CNAs, yet don’t show professional respect to them. Most of these same RNs expect to be shown respect from MDs and DOs, with approx. eight more years of schooling.
Once, when “floated” to a different floor, I overheard a CNA tell an RN that a patient had expired. The RNs reply was “You are supposed to be getting vitals, not making nursing assessments.” The CNA’s reply: “Pulse 0, respiration 0, temp. 75.8, bp 0/0. Make your own nursing assessment.”
Remember, “United we stand” refers to all areas of life.
—Barbara
10. Ability to embrace the challenges
I work three to four 12-hour shifts that usually end up being 14-hour shifts. There is no way to prepare your body for all the mind and bodily stress you WILL endure as a nurse. But if you LOVE NURSING, you will eventually take it on as a part of your life and miss it when you’re not in the chaotic lifestyle the floor provides. It’s kind of weird, but I get bored when I am not stressed to the max. Strange, maybe; normal, absolutely!
—Tracy, RN
All of these seem on topic to me!!! I celebrated 40 years of being an RN this month and when I started nursing the LPNs were working in the specialty units. I learned more from the LPNs and CNAs than other RNs. We should have kept them in the specialty units because they were invaluable. I also have a tendency to not feel the need to become certified in any specialty. I know it is seen as a respectful endeavor but truly, some of those nurses who are certified really cannot apply their certification to their job. I have preferred to remain a bedside nurse as that is where I can make the most impact and I find it more rewarding than sitting at a computer all day. I can attest that one should never assume anything in the nursing/medical world. Don’t assume that the MD is going to order something, if you feel the patient needs it then ask for it!!! Sometimes they don’t see the whole picture or are so focused on their specialty they cannot think outside the box. Team work is very important, but not all nurses can work together as a team. Focus on your contribution to the team and gather those around you who are also able to contribute and be dependable. All the gossip and back stabbing needs to stop, it only hurts the team and I have seen it destroy a unit. Stay strong and carry on but take care of yourselves first.
COMPASSION.
I’m surprised compassionate was not #1.
Be humble, accepting, caring and practice with Integrity. Self analysis should continue every day. Learn from others and yourself. I BELIEVE NURSES ARE THEIR OWN MILITARY…….. WE ARE THE DRIVING FORCE OF ALL HOLISTIC ASPECTS OF CARE. We are not a dime a dozen, we are all uniquely driven. NURSES, MY HAT IS OFF TO US ALL!!! NOWADAYS I USE THE TERM REGROUP ALOT……..
I can think of two: 1. Ask a lot of questions.. 2. Prioritize.
When you’re burned out take a break. Even if it means leaving your current work place in search of something else. Don’t be afraid of change, use it to your advantage. Remember when patients are rude or offensive 9 times out of 10 they’re scared.
Caring. If you care, everything else works out.
1) caring about yourself enough to make your health, safety, and happiness a priority. 2) caring about your coworkers, even the ones you don’t like, enough to make their health, safety, and happiness important. 3) caring out a clean and save environment for yourself, your coworkers, and your patients. 4) caring about you’re patients health, safety, comfort, and happiness. 5) caring about the family members of your patients in the same manner. 6) caring about everyone, as opposed to the letter at the end of their name, be it a coworker, a patient, a member of the committee,etc.
In that order.
Empathy and compassion and understand that each patient have different needs and always be a team player! Treat your patient the way you would want your family member to be treated💝None of us are perfect so be easy on yourself as well❤
The #1 trait of a good nurse is communication. A great nurse must be able to listen to her patient, interpret what the patient said; then reiterate to the patient what you understand the patient has communicated to you. Then most importantly carry out the task or patients needs. Communication doesn’t stop with just the patient. Nurses need to communicate with the doctor, family members and all staff involved in the patients care. Patients want to be heard and understood.
A great nurse provides accurate patient assessments, checks labs & follows up abnormal findings. This results in the best patient outcomes! If you are not confident in assessment, take a course.
This is great! My answers: Compassion and empathy. Technical skills are vital, of course, but these two traits are the ones that, after 40 years, I believe patients and families value most.
Ownership.
I’ve been a nurse for 41 years. It’s believing the buck stops with me. I own my decisions and my practice, I make choices every day to be thorough or take short cuts. To be kind or curt, to know my patients or be uninterested. To learn new things or ignore the new evidence.
I believe I make a difference because it’s up to me to do so.
yes, yes, YES! and my motto is to always “remember, it is NOT about YOU”. We are there for the patient, not the other way around.
A nurse is a conglomeration of many traits. If one of the traits is missing you are a good nurse but not a great nurse. In my 50 years of nursing I have worked with many a good nurse but only a handful of great nurses. There were times I would rather partner up with a CMA or LPN rather than an RN because they emulated the true spirit of nursing. I am proud of myself for always being there for my patients and their families and for giving 100% of me to them, while they were in my care.
Organization !!
I believe that the most important traits of a good nurse are to be a good listener and to be empathetic. Always treat the patient and staff the way you would want to be treated.
Hi there! I believe that being compassionate is one of the most essential things you need to be a nurse no matter what field of nursing you are in. Patients of every age can notice that a mile away…and a little goes a long way.
Be in the moment. Concentrate on one task at a time. I do multi task as others do, though once I am doing something all my attention is on that one task. Also listen: to your coworkers and patients. Do the best you can to find a solution by working together. Management is not supportive where I work. Susan, RN
A great Nurse never stops learning, when or if you ever stop learning, you need to get out of this career. Nursing is forever changing as I have been a nurse for 30 years. Nurses should always look in the mirror, put yourself in the patients shoes, who knows, you may be that patient some day. I guarantee it will make you a Great Nurse!
I have been a nurse for over 30 years with all but the last few months in bedside nursing. The one thing I have learned in all my years is that it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been doing the job, you are always learning. A nurse who acts like or says she knows it all, is a nurse I don’t want taking care of me or my family.
I believe the greatest trait for an RN is good attitude. I am an RN for over 20 years and met the ups and downs of being a nurse attending to different race, age, medical and spiritual needs of patients. If you want to go home with peace and fulfillment in your heart, you got to have a right attitude. Be flexible and be an advocate of peace. Personally, I pray to God for His guidance and He has never failed me. He is there with me all the time. I am a nurse by profession and a minister by calling.
Being a nurse requires so many traits that it is hard to choose just one. One thing I have learned over the years is how to listen. When assessing patients listen carefully to what they say. You will learn many things from them that will help you to provide the care needed. Listening skills are very important as well as integrity.
You are absolutely right! Listen to your patient if they suggest an IV site or what position is best to insert a huber needle into a porta- cath. Listen! If there is a reason you cant do what they request, explain that to them, Just don’t say, ” well this is how i do it” Listen to their symptoms, direct your questions so you get the most accurate information from them.
I just retired after 48 years of nursing. I’ve seen a lot of changes. Please be kind to one another. Teach! don’t criticize one another. Work together and Show by example. God Bless you and thank you for all you do.
I think you need a sense of humor in most nursing situations, including hospice. I was able to connect with patients and their families.
Nurse for 47 years here. Embrace change, because it WILL happen. Keep learning, things change rapidly. Take care of yourself. No one else will. Be proud of your career, but don’t make it your life.
unshakable patience for everyone.
I’m an LVN at a nursing home. I think that a good trait for a nurse or anyone in the health service is compassion. I found that showing your patient or resident that you genuinely care goes a long way in this business. Don’t get me wrong all the other traits mentioned are important too.
The number one trait of a great Nurse is knowing that everyday you can still learn something new. Never become complacent and keep your mind open to new ideas. After forty years, I still learn something new everyday from even the most unlikely of sources.
IM WITH YOU. The best compliment I ever received was when a nurse I respected said that if I didn’t know the answer, I knew how to find it
Curiosity. A great nurse is always asking questions. Why is my patient non-compliant? What can be done to keep this patient from repeated admissions? Is there a better way to do this? Asking questions like these lead to self-improvement and better patient care.
Flexibility. A great nurse knows that timing is everything. He/she knows that sometimes they must bend and adjust to meet patient and/0r staff needs.
Other important attributes are a good sense of humor and patience.
Caring.
I believe it all starts there. We will push ourselves and lift each other to be our best when we truly care about the patients we’re entrusted with.
I Agree With CARING 110%.
Caing for your patients/residents;
Caring about their families.
Caring about your co-workers – no matter what letters come after their names.
And, last but not least – CARING about & for ones self; so, you can be CARING for others.
Phyllis
As with all the other thought provoking heartfelt comments,very well expressed. Thank you!
Caring and compassion is very important, especially for our patients. Caring, lifting each other to be our best, in other words ensuing harmony and teamwork is the bond that makes the entire healthcare experience very positive and successful for both those entrusted to our loving care, as well as for our workplace.
After spending 36+ years working as a nurse ( 11 as an LPN and the remainder as an RN) I believe the greatest skill a nurse needs is the ability to listen. I mean really listen. To everyone. The CNA’s input on the patient may be the most important thing you learn about that patient. Or the input from the admitting clerk, the patient’s family, or even the Dr. When you take the time to listen you will be incorporating all of the skills listed above. Nursing is who I am and I tried to give my best self to every situation, both in the hospital or in public. I always stopped at accidents that did not have any police or Fire/EMTs present. I did not turn away when someone collapsed in a public area. And when I approached these individuals I listened. And asked questions. And took appropriate action. Yes somethings took me longer to accomplish, but my nurse’s soul was nourished. I hope to see medicine understand again how important the nurse is to the situation. Machines can dispense the right meds to the right patient at the right time, but that machine can’t listen.
Sacrifice because we give our patients our spirit and time
It’s all of the above,including compassion, empathy and always remember to treat a patient the way you would want your family member to be treated by a nurse.
Exactly. I agree. All responses are accurate. It truly takes someone special to be a good/great nurse.
What of compassion and empathy?
The number one trait of a nurse embodies ALL of the above and more.