I've heard this term so much and I hope it is not a dum question, but being a relatively new nurse, first job, started May 2002, I would really like this defined.

I work in a LTC facility and I try to help out the aids as much as I can. I try and make sure everything is done, and leave at a decent time. Although I hate foley's. Nonetheless, I want to be the best nurse possible. I don't have to be perfect, but I want to do my best. Just this morning one of my collegues was telling me

about a nurse that is coming to our floor. She described her as an

air head that gets med errors all the time and you have to watch her because, after the narc count she will go back and change

things on the books. To add she doesn't do a lot of her treat-

ments. I admit this would be a hard act to follow. It doesn't

seem like she is trying.

How would you describe a good nurse?

My definition of a good nurse is one who cares. Cares about patients, has the foresight to use the knowledge she has obtained to head off problems before they get too bad. Cares about her co-workers, enought to do everything in her power to get done what needs to be done in the time she is there. Granted there are sometimes things that have to be passed on to the next person but dont make it a daily habit. Dont feel guilty about it if its once in a while. A good nurse cares about patients and co-workers as people not just someone she has to "deal" with for 8hrs. "doin 8 and blowin the gate" so to speak. Most nurses have an ingrained sense of caring and compassion. Some you just wonder why they became a nurse.

Being a Nurse Means........

You will never be bored.

You will always be frustrated.

You will be surrounded by challenges.

So much to do and so little time.

You will carry immense responsibility

and very little authority.

You will step into people's lives

and you will make a difference.

Some will bless you.

Some will curse you.

You will see people at their worst -

and at their best.

You will never cease to be amazed

at people's capacity for love, courage, endurance.

You will see life begin - and end.

You will experience resounding triumphs

and devastating failures.

You will cry a lot.

You will laugh a lot.

You will know what it is to be human

and to be humane.

author unknown

That above poem was written by Melodie Chenevert (sp?), RN

I think a good nurse is one who shows up for work on time! And by on time, I do NOT mean walking in the unit at 7am, punching in, changing your clothes and then being ready for report by 7:15. Work starts at 7am and to me, that means that you should be ready to take report at 7am. I work 7p-7a and I always am at work by 6:45pm at the latest. The only excuse for arriving at 7am is bad weather, or an emergency and if that's the case then you should've called the unit and let someone know you'd be late. Sometimes that isn't always possible I know but when you have a flat tire 2 days a week? Come on! Give me a break!

I agree with what majrn said in her post and would like to add that a good nurse knows what she does not know and is not afraid to ask a colleague for help. I've been an RN for over 5 years now and there's a HECK of a lot that I don't know. I'm always asking questions. I'm a little wary of a new nurse that doesn't ask questions.

One who CARES.

One who cares about his/her patient, co-workers and self.