Inner Strength of Nurses

Wow - how philosophical!

I believe that nurses must have the strength of their convictions; be able to do the right thing no matter what the competing pressures are. It's just that determining 'right' can be difficult because human beings are unique. So we have to continually ask ourselves - are we staying focused on the patient's needs/wishes or enforcing our own values upon them?

What a question!! Here's my thoughts on it. Nurses have to have a caring personality, must be friendly and honest with their patients, aproachable and open. They have a vast amount of learned knowledge to deal with the medical and surgical procedures and illnesses they encounter. They should be able to remain calm in times of 'crisis', and not run away because the patient is revealing intimate feelings with them. They must have empathy and compassion, an ear for listening and an eye for detail. They build relationships with their patients unlike any other. They act for an advocate for those who can't have a voice.