Simple question

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

As a nurse, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

# 1 Strength : knowing I have weaknesses

Also, depends on the specialty I worked in. In the beginning of all of them, I was good in basic nursing, but had a lot to learn re: the specialty (in the days of no internships/precepting).

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Strengths: Communication and techinical skills

Weaknesses: Organization (but I'm getting better!)

#1ME · Aug 4, 2011

# 1 strength : knowing i have weaknesses

^that's good , ima have to use that one lol

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Strengths:

*I am completely OCD, which is a good trait to have in the surgical setting. I am organized to the nth degree, and go behind the surgeons, residents, etc to make sure that all orders are in place, appropriate labs have been drawn, blood is available for transfusion should we need it, and that all equipment, supplies and instrumentation are readily available. I do this research the night before my case, and make sure that it has been implemented before my pt comes into the OR suite. My primary focus is on the best outcome for my pt.

*I am very assertive. If pt safety is compromised in any way, you can bet the farm that I will be speaking up about it. I have no qualms about stopping the case cold and getting Risk Management on the line if I have any sort of push back.

*I love to research. If I see something in my practice that I am not familiar with, I will be on the computer as soon as my feet hit the floor when I come home. If I run across some good articles, I will forward these to the members of the team that worked with me that day. If we are all in agreement that this topic should be presented to the surgical staff in a formal setting, I don't mind doing the legwork to put together a presentation. Admittedly, I am a total nerd.

Weaknesses:

*I am completely OCD, and get on the nerves of my co-workers.

*I am very assertive and don't back down when a surgeon or anesthesia care provider wants to do something that would endanger the safety of my patient. I am not the type to 'look the other way', which drives some of the surgeons NUTS.

*I am actually a bleeding heart, and tend to wear myself out because I want to cover a co-workers' shift who has just had a death in the family, I come in early or stay late because the unit needs me, or I spend more time than I should listening to the woes of a peer when I have already clocked out and my husband is waiting for me at home.

All of this is part of nursing. I can say without a doubt that I love my profession and actually do understand boundaries. Giving is part of our jobs, and sometimes it is not always the patient that we give our time to--it is our peers that we care about that we give our time to. I don't mind doing this every so often, but I don't make it a habit of coming to the rescue of every staff member that needs a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes I just need my husband's shoulder, and I recognize when to give and when to go home.