nurses, what's most important?

[butterfly134]

what do you think are the most important qualities in a student nurse? What things do you like to see in a student nurse? I'm doing my BSN and I love clinicals. I've been told that I'm really good with communicating with patients but I need to work on not being so shy about asking questions and questioning work practices. I just find that sometimes I feel a bit intimidated by the staff nurses. I don't want to come across loud or a know it all and around people I don't know I am quiet person. Also I went into nursing school straight out of high school so all the staff are quite a bit older than me and I still kind of feel that there is a teacher-student relationship. Any thoughts or advise would be much apprectiated :) thank you :)

[UpinawayRN]

What I notice is confidence, an eagerness to learn, and professionalism. If you don't feel yet confident, act as though you are until you really are. Read up as much as you can after clinicals on your own time to process what you were trying to accomplish for the day. Ask questions when you don't understand. We all started where you are.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

How about caring? That simple concept. I have seen several nurses lately who seem to think being a nurse is about performing technical tasks, and that's it. Caring is core to nursing. It is engaging with the patient with concern and positive regard.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

1. Intellectual curiosity

2. Preparedness

3. Commitment

4. Dependability

5. Veracity

I don't really care if you "care."

[Altra, BSN, RN]

BlueDevil,DNP's post above is excellent. I'd add the following:

1. Professionalism. This includes a certain amount of formality, appropriate to the situation.

2. Listening > verbalizing

[leslie :-D]

1. Intellectual curiosity

2. Preparedness

3. Commitment

4. Dependability

5. Veracity

I don't really care if you "care."

bluedevil - the perfect response.

leslie

[Nursey103, ADN, RN]

How about caring? That simple concept. I have seen several nurses lately who seem to think being a nurse is about performing technical tasks, and that's it. Caring is core to nursing. It is engaging with the patient with concern and positive regard.

I agree but I remember being a student....the #1 thing you think about is NOT hurting or killing a patient. Sounds ridiculous but that was always a fear of mine!! It's easy to be very task oriented in the beginning...I'm about a year & a half in & I still have to remind myself to take a step back & look at the big picture. There is so much to learn... I think the best thing to do is be yourself, ask lots of questions, & be open to learning & doing as much as possible. If you get asked to do something, grab the opportunity!! Don't forget to seek out opportunities as well. Us nurses get so busy that if you see us doing something & either want to do it or have questions...ask!!

[rita359]

During clinicals I think you need to be sure to know as much as you can about your patient or pts and with computers its easier than it used to be. If you don't know something ASK. If you have your patient taken care of and know what you need to know let nurses on the unit know that you would like to observe procedures or anything that will let you get some experience. Maybe another patient needs fc. Either your instructor could help you do it or you could help hold legs, flashlight etc and observe. A lot of time that procedure takes more than one person anyway.

[butterfly134]

1. Intellectual curiosity

2. Preparedness

3. Commitment

4. Dependability

5. Veracity

I don't really care if you "care."

We did almost an entire module on the concept of nursing care and caring. How can a nurse be a nurse if she doesnt care? Although I do realise the other points you made are true :)

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

i think that was "care," not care. try to visualize the little ironic air quoties. of course we care about what we do, we want to give good care, we care for people. but as the ad says, "if caring were enough, anyone could be a nurse." it's that kind of caring, the assumed thing that's enough, that blue devil doesn't care if you have. i think. i am sure s/he will correct me if i'm wrong.

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

Be helpful, offer to help, make the bed, ask her if she or he needs help with any other patient, if you are interested, the nurse will help you! And make your day worth going.... I don't expect you to know it all, because I learn as I go!