Sometimes stressful, sometimes gratifying; the life of healthcare professionals moves at a fast pace, and they must always be on their feet ready to handle the task at hand.
Nursing is a respectable profession in the healthcare industry that comes with a variety of responsibilities every nurse should understand. Nurses are an essential part of a hospital’s workforce and always have to be ready for any challenges that come their way.
So why is it so important for nurses to be good at their work? And what traits can make a nurse stand out and make them exceptional at their job? It is all listed below!
When you choose to be a nurse, you should realize the importance of your profession. It is important to be a good nurse so you can take care of your patients and put their needs above yours. You need to monitor the patient, assess their condition, and help treat them. These are major duties, and a little negligence can result in a loss of life. Hence, once you decide to pursue nursing, you must put in all your effort to build your physical stamina and become a good nurse.
You can become a nurse by completing an associate degree and acquiring licensure. But earning a higher education, such as an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, can help you hone your knowledge and skills to provide better patient care. Luckily, in this day and age, you can enroll in ABSN programs online in a more flexible and cost-effective manner. Earning a masters or doctorate can make you even better at your work.
The first and foremost quality one should keep in mind while preparing for this profession is empathy. It is the ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes and understand how they must feel. A good nurse is always empathetic toward their patients and treats them with compassion. It does not matter what the patient’s cultural, ethnic, or financial background is. If the patient rings for assistance or asks the nurse to explain something once again, they should always comply.
Furthermore, you can be busy sometimes and unable to listen to the patient immediately. This way, the patient might feel neglected. So, it’s always a good idea to pop by and let the patient know they will be taken care of in a while.
Details matter! A good nurse always pays attention to her surroundings and notices any slight differences in them. Whether it is a change in any patient’s behavior or symptoms, they always take note of it and give it proper attention. So if there is any change in the patient’s diagnosis or well-being, they are well prepared beforehand.
Moreover, nurses should also pay attention to their colleagues and everything around them. For example, if the inventory is low, ask the person responsible for it if they have ordered more of it. This way, by paying attention to the little details, you are never put in a difficult situation because you are always ahead of schedule
Work as much as possible on your communication skills, as these are one of the principal skills to be a good nurse. From speaking to the patient, the doctor, and the family members, nurses should learn to listen to, collect and relay critical data. They must ask the patient all the essential questions, such as their allergies, and let the doctor know about the answers. Nursesmust also ensure that there are no errors in transcribing medication orders, or the consequences can be devastating.
It is also a necessary tool for good nurses to build a bond with the patients. Listening to their patient and being there for them is always important. This way, patients will not mind sharing any problems they are facing medically and emotionally. Many times nurses have to convey difficult messages to the patient’s family. Nurses must be emotionally available and have good communication skills to do it properly.
Remember the safety protocols you learned at nursing school. Well, they are just as important after you have successfully graduated. To be a good nurse means to sanitize equipment regularly and throw away any used latex gloves immediately. It means following all those tips that help keep your patient and you safe from any disease.
Healthcare is constantly evolving, and a good nurse always tries to stay on top of the latest changes and trends. They realize their responsibility as a healthcare worker and are always open to learning new things. This way, their ability to make decisions improves, and they can take care of their patients in the best way possible.
A good nurse remembers the oath taken as a health care provider and ensures to do everything to maintain that oath. Nurses should take ongoing training opportunities and attend conferences, lectures, or webinars. They should also subscribe to nursing journals, read medical newsletters, talk to their colleagues about new things they learn, and try signing up to become a part of local and international nursing associations.
Clustering your care in nursing means handling all patient-related tasks at once. For example, if you are about to check a patient’s vitals and give them their vaccine, get your latex gloves, blood pressure apparatus, alcohol swabs, bandages, and all required items at once. This way, you won’t have to go back and forth to get supplies, and your patient will receive all your time and attention.
Never shy away from rechecking charts and asking questions. This will only make you a better nurse. A good routine is to go through your charts again at the end of any shift to ensure everything is filled in correctly and there are no mistakes. Accurate charts make you an excellent nurse and ensure your patients receive the health care they deserve. It is also a legal mandate in many regions. Hence, you should always ensure that you have detailed and accurate charts.
You can always try to get an experienced healthcare provider as your mentor. You can observe them perform their duties and learn any quality or skill you lack. A good nurse is always open to learning new things from others.
While following all these tips and caring for your patients, do not forget to take time for yourself and de-stress. The hospital environment and constantly looking after patients can get exhausting. This is why it is a must for any good nurse to practice self-care when at home and hospital. Remember, you can take good care of patients only when you are healthy yourself.
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