Changing one's spots

[heartbeep]

I'm curious...what personality traits have you seen in people that stand in the way of their quality of work? If I have any of them I want to start working on them before I even sign up.

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

All of the previous posts were right on the money. I would like to add: going into nursing purely for the money. Money is nice but, I believe, it shows in the type of care you give to your patients if that is your sole reason for pursuing nursing as a career.

You must have some sort of desire to help and to teach. I am not speaking of the old stereotype of "angels of mercy". Nurses are intelligent beings who think independently and use their critical thinking skills to add to the collaboration of care along with physicians, social workers, case managers, etc..

You must possess the ability to empathize.

[nursel56]

Nursel56.....that was incredibly insightful and objective. I sense some struggle in there, but it sounds like you know where you need to be in your head to deal with it. My best to you and thank you so much for your input.

Thanks, heartbeep. Me, + nursing = quite a journey

[mykrosphere]

Not being teachable.

Thinking you learned everything you need to know while in nursing school.

Not accepting responsibility for your mistakes.

Coming up with excuses when your mistake is pointed out to you.

Not being humble.

Not realizing you don't know what you don't know.

Thinking you DO know everything.

Not being a team player.

Not being able to accept constructive criticism.

these are HUGE points!

especially the not accepting responsibility/ coming up with excuses part.

which i guess fit in with the humble(pie) thing!

nobody is perfect, although we may try to be. accepting responsibility for mistakes, etc, is really fundamental to learning.

if someone always thinks theyre right, even when theyre not, they are never going to learn.

i find if i make a mistake, its usually the first and last time i make that same mistake.

being open minded and open to suggestion/ alternatives is very important in growing as a nurse.

[heartbeep]

Thank you all; you've probably given me some of the most valuable tools of success I'll ever have.

I took a CNA class for a while until "life" made it so I had to quit before I was finished. I saw some of these traits now that I look back and apply the things you've posted. It's hard not to feel inferior when other students are leaving you in their dust...but I'll be strong and I'll learn at my own pace. I'll find that balance between arrogance and confidence, be a team player, and listen well. Thanks again.