What makes a good nurse?

gwenith, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2003

Abilities to be a nurse

!) superstrength sense of humour

2) 10 gallon bladder capacity

3) ability to improvise and create a cardiac crash cart out of three rubber bands 2 paper clips and a 9 volt battery

4) Pain free feet and legs

5) Ability to multitask ( minimum 10 maximum - has not been reached yet!!!)

6) Ability to be polite to a DDDF ( down and dirty dope fiend) with a force five BO problem and visible parasites looking for new hosts to explore

7) The ability to see beyond the problem to the person within - empathy

8) With empathy - telepathy so you can actually work out what the doc's REALLY want

9) ability to decipher runes and doctors handwriting - same thing

10) Ability to care, about your patients, your colleagues and co-workers and yourself

KnittingNurseStudent · Mar 11, 2005

This is a really good question as I have wondered if I have what it takes. I want to volunteer at some point to see if that gives me an idea. I have been told that I would make a good nurse b/c I have patience and am kind to people. However, I am also acutely aware of my weakness's. It will take me awhile to get through school, so I have time to work on those! I tend to take things personally (and in the back of my mind, I know when I am doing it and that I am being too sensitive!) and confidence is something I have never really had much of but is getting much better as I get older and try new things. It sounds silly, but something as simple as learning to knit and succeeding has built my confidence. Also, I am taking chemistry now and got a 99% on my first exam! In the past, I wouldn't have had the confidence to attempt the class....but I am so glad I am taking it. It's really rewarding to try new things and see just what you're capable of...even through failure once can learn from it and move on!

To me, the most rewarding job to have would be to make a difference in a life....even if people don't always appreciate you; you have the knowledge that the job you do contributes to the wellness of society...even if it's a small part! One life at a time.

gamegirlkimmy · Mar 11, 2005

I believe the most important quality is compassion. No matter how good your skills and how much knowledge you have, without compassion for your patients you will not make a "Good Nurse"

I also believe you need to be somewhat aggressive, especially when it comes to being a patient advocate. If you question a type of treatment or order from the doctor, don't be afraid to confront him with your concerns and get the answers you need to be comfortable that what you do will benefit your patient.

Dont ever think you know everything, you learn something new everyday in the nursing field. Dont ever let your ego get in the way of asking questions when you don't know, I have seen this happen with the results being med errors and harm to patients.

I see a lot of new grads that are meek and afraid to question orders, believe me when I say that some doctors and nurses will walk all over you if you let them.

nurselily3 · Mar 12, 2005

A good nurse know's when to trust her gut and when to ask questions about anything. There is nothing more dangerous than a cavalier nurse (or doc).

KnittingNurseStudent · Mar 13, 2005

Do you believe this is a trait that can be developed? I think this is a principle we all need to learn for life in general. This is a very good point.

I believe the most important quality is compassion. No matter how good your skills and how much knowledge you have, without compassion for your patients you will not make a "Good Nurse"
I also believe you need to be somewhat aggressive, especially when it comes to being a patient advocate. If you question a type of treatment or order from the doctor, don't be afraid to confront him with your concerns and get the answers you need to be comfortable that what you do will benefit your patient.
Dont ever think you know everything, you learn something new everyday in the nursing field. Dont ever let your ego get in the way of asking questions when you don't know, I have seen this happen with the results being med errors and harm to patients.
I see a lot of new grads that are meek and afraid to question orders, believe me when I say that some doctors and nurses will walk all over you if you let them.

nurseangel78 · Mar 13, 2005

I think it takes compassion, understanding, caring, and listening.

leslie :-D · Mar 14, 2005

critical thinking skills

empathy/sensitivity

leadership skills

assertiveness

prioritizing

patience/compassion

willingness to learn

able to take constructive criticism and actually learn from it.

professionalism

intuition

team worker

dbsn00 · Mar 14, 2005

Compassion, honesty, patience, self-assertiveness, willingness to continually learn, being able to work with others, & the ability to do 5 things at once with a full bladder & aching feet... :chuckle

Town & Country · Mar 15, 2005

You have to be at least A LITTLE crazy!!!

:rotfl:

danu3 · Mar 15, 2005

A good nurse can see the person behind the illness. S/he cares for the whole person, from the biological, to the psycho/social, to the spiritual dimension of a person. S/he is an integrator also as s/he can speak the languages of different professions (doctors, social worker, therapist, chaplain) and is in the best positiion to coordinate and communicate all these different specialized areas. S/he knows when to be gentle and when to be strong, when to yeild and when to stand one's ground.

-Dan

ps. Having a warp sense of humor also helps.

danielamclea · Dec 17, 2008

I am asking myself that question a lot lately.

I believe if you are a fairly new nurse you should always ask questions and never asume you get through a situation by yourself and get it wrong!! Asking questions is a strenghs and not a weakness. Observe the nurses who ave experience and pick the great ones and you will learn from them.

Flexibility is important, if you are not flexible you get stuck and run into a one way street.

But most important is passion for what you do every day it is not only a job, every day you give a part of yourself and if you do not love what you do it will be notticed.

Respect for for everyone you work with and your patients and always be honest!!!

Bofore I get out of my car every morning I tell myself two things I will improve that day and it motivates me over and over again.

Have a Merry Christmas

Daniela

Mijourney · Dec 17, 2008

I agree with everything that has been posted. I believe a strong sense of self and common sense is needed to do the job. The ability to put all the pieces together and see the big picture also comes in handy. Without the aforementioned attributes, it will be hard to make the best impact for the patient in the profession.