A Good Nurse

Nurses General Nursing

Published

First of all, Im a older student nurse thats done alot of research on the profession. I commend all of you for your dedication to this profession,you are the back bone of any hospital few people could do what you do.As a newbie to this profession (hopefully GOD willing) What sucessful attributes do you look for in a new nurse to make me more sucessful? I really want to be a good nurse.I really respect all of you and would truley heed any advise you have, and will carry it with me proudly. Thanks one of your future colleagues.:)

I would say a genuine desire to learn. In my opinion, as a nurse, the learning never ends. I also think that patience is a positive attribute for a nurse. Being able to stay calm and calm others is helpful too.

Linda

Specializes in Everything except surgery.

I agree with the above post. I also think the ability to see that patient as an individual, not a disease, disorder, or procedure. To see yourself or a love one in that bed...and not a stranger. The ability to empathize with the person you're caring for...but also the ability to make objective decisions in order to give the appropriate care. JMHO...:cool:

the ability to make mistakes and not beat yourself up...

patience...

knowledge of your limitations, both experientially and intellectually...

excellent prioritization skills (just remember, airway breathing, circulation)...

the ability to separate your work life from your personal life so you don't take your problems home with you.

I hope this helps you

CARE

care enuff to learn

care enuff to work

put yourself in your patients place...its not always easy.

Be open minded enough to know that you don't know something.

Ask questions. Lots of them!

Always think "How would I want to be treated if I was in that

bed?"

Never blow off a family who has questions because chances are

the doc either blew them off or confused the hell out of them

or, unfortunately, misled them. Some paint a very rosy

picture when all there really are are thorns. Tell them about

the thorns.

Never, EVER, let a doc, manager, etc berate you for doing the

right thing. If you do not stick up for yourself, no one else will

and more improtantly if you don't stick up for yourself, how

can you stick up for your patients??????

Listen to your gut-it NEVER lies.

Gravitate toward colleagues who will nurture you.

Find a mentor and cherish that person's knowledge, expertise

and friendship.

If a patient says they are going to die, they probably are. Don't

ever take a statement like this lightly.

Don't be afraid to step on toes to get what your patients' need.

Cover your a$$!

Have a life separate from nursing. Learn to leave it there when

you clock out.

Don't be afraid of the sick, warped, gross sense of humor you will

develop over the next few years. It helps you cope. It can

also get you tables at restaurants!

Best of luck to you and welcome to the wonderful world of nursing. It's a bumpy ride but worth it.

Flexibility and tolerance. Willingness to learn and take correction. Don't take things personally.

1. flexibility, because things do not usually go as planned.

2. tolerance, your patients will not always share the same values that you do, and sometimes I find their values rather foul, but I am there to care for them and not evaluate their beliefs.

The above other ones I think are totally evplanatory....

The ability to say 'I don't know' and 'I was wrong,' along with the ability to correct the wrong and find out the information you don't know or find someone who knows the answer.

I have been an RN for 11 years and I am still growing and striving to reach nursing excellence. I think in my early years of nursing, I was too intimidated by competent seasoned nurses to be a really good nurse myself. Every year I have seen my skills and confidence develop and evolve. I have learned so much from other nurses and from my mistakes, too. For instance, I was never meticulous with my charting until I was asked to testify in a law suit where my charting was sketchy. I didn't treat the patients with the respect and reverence they deserve until I was myself a fightened patient.

Give yourself a break and give yourself a few years to achieve your personal best. Seek positive mentors and learn from them. Gain certification in your specialty the moment you are eligible; you will be amazed at how knowledgable you will become in your field. When you leave the hospital each shift, leave your patients' problems behind, too. Never take them home to your family. Most importantly, treat each patient as you would a family member.

Best of luck to you.

Tori

If you can't do what you do with love and empathy, you are nothing but a machine who dispenses pills. Strong words, but I stand by them.

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