Personality Traits of a Good Trauma Nurse

Specialties Critical

Published

Hey guys! im currently a nursing student working through a two year program with plans to continue on to eventually become a NP. I have always been drawn to trauma and was curious to see what you guys think are some qualities/characteristics that make for an excellent trauma nurse.

Anything you guys think would help a lot!

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmm...

Sense of humor

Doesnt take themselves too seriously

Fast

Quick learner

Type A. Personality

Willing to easily adapt to change

Hard worker

NocturneRN

168 Posts

Specializes in ER, cardiac, addictions.
Hey guys! im currently a nursing student working through a two year program with plans to continue on to eventually become a NP. I have always been drawn to trauma and was curious to see what you guys think are some qualities/characteristics that make for an excellent trauma nurse.

Anything you guys think would help a lot!

There is no one specific personality type that's suited to trauma nursing. (I know that, because I'm a trauma nurse and my personality is about the opposite of what you'd expect.) But many of my coworkers ARE type A personalities (as someone else here mentioned). You have to have a quick, decisive mind and a very flexible personality, and be able to juggle several pressing concerns at once. You also need to be very team oriented, since major traumas require a lot of teamwork. There's a lot of documentation required for traumas, too, so it's important to be very thorough in assessments and documentation.

It doesn't hurt to have excellent IV skills, too-----it can be rather challenging to get one or more large bore IVs in some of these patients.

Irishlass79

26 Posts

Lots of teamwork

Definitely non-judgmental

Ability to compartmentalize feelings

Ability to work fast and accurate under stress

IV skills is a bonus (many trauma patients have bad veins from IVDA and many need large bore for blood)

Assertive and a presence of authority when needed.

A sense of humor for sure, because of the stress you need this.

Very good documentation skills and critical thinking skills.

Good communications skills with the ability to explain things in different ways (family situations are usually difficult and patients are difficult and at times not to bright)

nursed40

23 Posts

Working in trauma can be stressful at times so sense of humor is a must! Also try not to get to amped up and yell while taking care of your pt because yelling just stresses everyone in the room and doesn't help your team perform better.

systoly

1,756 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

go getter

grab the bull by the horn

never asks, "can we do this"

but "how will we do it"

Specializes in Orthopedics, Trauma, Bariatrics, Renal.

You've got to have the HEART for people, really. In trauma you're going to take care of patients who aren't themselves most of the time. Think of a combination of patients from neuro, psych, LTAC, rehab and nursing home rolled into one. They're either in pain, confused, feeling hopeless, sad or are really just tired emotionally, physically and psychologically. It takes a WHOLE LOT OF GUTS to be working on a Trauma floor. Perhaps, the one thing that REALLY matters is PATIENCE & COMPASSION. Without these, you won't last.

You'll get to take care of "very difficult" patients who are simply people who NEED your help for just about everything. :)

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