If you’re thinking about a nursing career you’ve no doubt considered the medical skills that nurses need to master, but what about those skills that will take you from being a good nurse to a great one? Many people choose careers in health care because they want to make a difference in the lives of their patients, and nurses have a unique opportunity to accomplish this task because they are on the front line of patient care.1 To become an excellent nurse, make sure you hone in on these skills:
Critical thinking
As a registered nurse, you will have to make quick decisions on a daily basis because, for a patient, sometimes it can mean the difference between life and death.2 You will need to use your critical thinking skills to assess any changes in the states of patients’ health and decide whether you must immediately take corrective action or should make referral.3
Patience
Sometimes being a nurse means having to work under stressful or hectic conditions, particularly when there is an emergency, and you’ll need to be able to remain calm and patient during those situations.4 As with any job, things don’t always go the way you want them to, so try to maintain a positive attitude through the chaos. After all, your desire to help the patients is what got you interested in nursing in the first place, right?5
Flexibility
As we already mentioned, sometimes the unexpected can happen when working in the medical field, so it’s important that you are able to be flexible and adapt to any circumstances that may come your way. Maintaining flexibility can help you manage your time, get along with co-workers and continue to enjoy your job even when confronted with stressful situations.6 1 Scrubs Magazine, ‘The 7 skills excellent nurses embrace,’ June 26, 2013 – http://scrubsmag.com/the-7-skills-excellent-nurses-embrace/ 2 Scrubs Magazine, ‘The 7 skills excellent nurses embrace,’ June 26, 2013 – http://scrubsmag.com/the-7-skills-excellent-nurses-embrace/ 3 Bureau of Labor Statistics,’How to Become a Registered Nurse,’ March 29, 2012 – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm#tab-4 4 Bureau of Labor Statistics,’How to Become a Registered Nurse,’ March 29, 2012 – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm#tab-4 5 Scrubs Magazine, ‘The 7 skills excellent nurses embrace,’ June 26, 2013 – http://scrubsmag.com/the-7-skills-excellent-nurses-embrace/ 6 Scrubs Magazine, ‘The 7 skills excellent nurses embrace,’ June 26, 2013 – http://scrubsmag.com/the-7-skills-excellent-nurses-embrace/
