Let’s be honest; nursing professionals are one of the most significant parts of the healthcare industry. No healthcare facility can survive without well-qualified and well-skilled nurses.
In addition, these professionals are responsible for working together with other healthcare providers such as doctors, physicians, etc., for providing the best quality care to patients.
Undoubtedly, the profession is quite demanding, yet it is lucrative and rewarding.
You cannot simply become a professional nurse just because you care about other people. You need to have excellent knowledge and invaluable traits that differentiate you from your peers.
Employers today no longer hire nurses with only clinical knowledge. Instead, they look for professionals with exceptional personality traits.
So you might be wondering what qualities make you a must-hire for employers; keep reading to find out.
1. Commitment To Ongoing Learning
You’ve probably come across the phrase that learning never stops, right? Well, that is true. Regardless of the career stage, there will always be something new to learn.
Moreover, employers are most likely to prefer nurses who desire to continue their learning even after finding a job.
The field of healthcare is ever-evolving as new research and developments are launched almost daily.
Good nurses are the ones who commit to lifelong learning by continuing their education to stay updated in medicine. For more details, click here if you want to know more about advanced degrees in nursing.
Remember, earning a higher degree in nursing opens the doors to many exciting opportunities, like a health educator, case manager, school nurse, care coordinator, nursing administrator, etc. Getting an MSN for registered nurses will all also create the opportunity for higher income.
2. Empathy
While it is true that today’s healthcare sector is employing the latest technologies for streamlining day-to-day operations, no amount of technology can replace the care nurses can offer through their instincts.
It’s called empathy, which refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and respect other people’s emotions.
For nurses, empathy means putting themselves in the patients’ shoes and offering care. Put it this way; when a patient is sick and resting on their bed, nurses are the ones that provide care and empathize with them.
But, a good nurse will never limit empathy to the hospital. Instead, they’ll take it a step further by understanding and supporting their colleagues and peers to build strong workplace relations.
3. Communication
One of the most crucial skills that every nurse must possess is excellent communication skills. Nurses are responsible for relaying doctor or physician information to patients and their loved ones.
So if you can’t correctly interpret and communicate detailed doctor’s notes and prescriptions, the chances of medical errors would be high.
Unfortunately, even the slightest miscommunication can adversely affect the patient’s health. On the other hand, you can improve the transfer of information to the patient and enhance the quality of care with good communication skills.
You must learn to listen attentively and maintain eye contact when communicating with patients to earn respect and trust.
4. Attention-To-Detail
Nurses are responsible for carrying out a variety of responsibilities throughout the day. It is no secret that nurses are often under immense stress and pressure while balancing all day responsibilities.
For example, they have to jot down notes from physicians, administer medications, monitor patients’ conditions, counsel or advocate patients and their loved ones, etc.
With critical thinking and focusing skills, you will be more observant and attentive towards patients’ needs while managing other tasks without facing issues.
5. Problem-Solving
There is no denying that no day is the same in the life of a nurse. Every day nurses deal with patients from different walks of life and encounter new challenges.
If a patient’s condition changes without warnings or symptoms, nurses’ problem-solving skills come into play.
For instance, there might be a situation where certain medications don’t suit the patient, and their condition might deteriorate.
As a nurse, you must be prepared to handle emergencies and have excellent problem-solving skills.
6. Time Management
If you lack time management skills, don’t expect to hear from hospitals and HR departments. Why? Because nursing is a fast-paced, high-pressure career where timing is crucial.
Regardless of the position, nurses juggle multiple tasks every day. Therefore, effectively managing your time at work is a necessary trait you must hone to succeed in your career.
You can do so by planning and prioritizing your everyday tasks. Also, don’t be ashamed when asking for help if you feel overloaded with your work.
7. Strong Stamina
You’d hardly ever see nurses sitting at one place during working hours. Why? Because nurses have to be on their feet throughout their shift.
It could be walking from one department, helping patients walk, treating patients in different wards, managing junior nurses, assisting doctors, etc.
In addition to helping patients, nursing is known for lots of overtime. Therefore, to be successful in your career, you must be strong enough to walk and stand for hours.
8. Emotional Stability
The nursing profession, by nature, involves lots of stress. As a nurse, you’ll deal with a wide range of emotions – sadness, happiness, heartbreak, frustration, etc.
Unfortunately, experiencing these emotions is common for nurses. While you must be empathetic and compassionate, you also need to manage your feelings.
Summing It Up
Being a nurse is no walk in the park. With all the pressure and demand of nursing, you must develop vital skills to succeed.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the job outlook for nurses is encouraging; growth by 9% from 2024 to 2030. Still, there is tough competition between candidates.
So, if you want to be a standout, the skills and traits mentioned above will make you a must-hire candidate.
