A Good Nurse.....

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Question: What characteristics do think someone should have to be a successful and happy floor nurse? :eek:

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Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.

I think probably one of the best assetts you could have as a nurse period, is to be organized. Then, flexibility, patience and an optimistic countenance certainly helps! :D

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Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

All of the above mentioned plus "thick skin" and confidence. One more thing, a really good sense of humor so you can laugh regularly while working yourself to death. :chuckle

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Originally posted by bellehill

All of the above mentioned plus "thick skin" and confidence. One more thing, a really good sense of humor so you can laugh regularly while working yourself to death. :chuckle

Most happy nurses have the capability of being self actualized in their career...and while they do not like the lack of power and influence they have in 'the system', their sense of 'doing good in the midst of chaos' can prevail. IMO of course.

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    Give up the desire for status beyond the RN after your name.

    Be content with bedside nursing

    Be positive with coworkers always, even if faking it is required.

    Never judge a patient (judge one and you'll judge them all and then you'll hate caring for anyone).

    [/list=1]

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Specializes in midwifery, ophthalmics, general practice.

you all forgot the most vital ingrediant................. to be totally insane with a mad SOH! oh and to be able to work your socks off, without loo or coffee breaks!!!!:roll

Karen

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just a quick question: what is "floor"? i've heard instructors say that at school, but i dont know what it means.

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i imagine it to be the same as "unit". but i'm not a nurse, so don't take too much stock in it!

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by hartsbur

Question: What characteristics do think someone should have to be a successful and happy floor nurse? :eek:

Excellent question hartsbur! :)

As a "floornurse".....also referred to as a "bedside nurse", I believe I need to be successful and happy with my life OUTSIDE the realm of what I do for a career or living. If I'm not happy and feel successful in my world outside of nursing, it will carry over into my job -- affecting my mood, the way I view things, my perception of things may be distorted, and the energy level I may begin the day with will dwindle as my mind realizes how tired and overexhausted it is..................causing me to literally shut down before the end of my shift. When that happens, my nerves are rattled and I don't function at the top of my game.

There are many other reasons for the "shuttingdown" of the body during the day (at work, etc.)........such as: the aging process we all have going on within our bodies every second we're alive, lack of nutrition (especially when we work long shifts without a nutrition break), and trying to do patient care with a dehydrated system (causing dizziness, sometimes fainting on the job, dry mouth, and irritability).

Many factors come into play in order to keep a nurse fit for the task that face him/her as a bedside nurse.

If you want to know what will keep you happy and successful as a bedside nurse if you choose to become a nurse one day, this is what I feel does it for me. :nurse:

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Great responses so far. I second the "insane" part. LOL

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I would say patience and a pair of BB's when the going gets rough.

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