What is the most important trait to have as a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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Empathy? Patience? Good Attitude? I know all these traits are important, but what is the key trait to have as a nurse? I want to be a nurse and I just wonder if I have it in me. :nurse:

that was good.

i would have added "thick skin", as well.:)

leslie

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

Common sense and the confidence to follow it when those around you don't.

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You need solid personal boundaries to go with the compassion or you can find yourself overly involved with your patients. I don't specifically mean romantically (although that is one form over-involvement can take). I'm referring to identifying with them so much that you can't do what you need to do to them and for them because it will cause them pain or a negative reaction to you. Or worrying about their personal crises that extend beyond your care. Or letting yourself be manipulated by their emotional pressure.

You can also give of yourself without refilling the well and end up depleted.

And this is a common one--you can go to work looking for validation and emotional sustenance from your patients, then crash and burn when they don't provide it or don't offer enough appreciation.

Get your own emotional needs met away from the job. That's not to say it doesn't feel good when a patient or family members give you strokes for your excellent care. Only that your happiness shouldn't depend on it.

I'd also add a good sense of humor to the list.

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That was extremely well done.

Out of curiosity regarding background, I could not identify the author

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.
That was extremely well done.

Out of curiosity regarding background, I could not identify the author

"MonsterNursing.com staff"

Not sure who the "staff" is but . . .

Only problem I found with the whole thing is that there was a part where it says "The nurse maintains HER energy."

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My first answer would be organizational skills and the ability to prioritize. Compassion would be a close second but if you prioritize or don't organize in the right way, your compassion could go to a dead patients family rather than the patient themselves.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
My first answer would be organizational skills and the ability to prioritize. Compassion would be a close second but if you prioritize or don't organize in the right way, your compassion could go to a dead patients family rather than the patient themselves.

I agree. My first pick is the ability to multi-task and good old fashion common sense also goes a long way.

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Specializes in psych, general, emerg, mash.

overused words, amazing and awesome! patience is the key to nursing, welcome to the wonderful world of customer service!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
that was good.

i would have added "thick skin", as well.:)

leslie

Dang. Beat me to it. I was going to say "a hide like a rhinoceros."

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The willingness to do the job right.

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

No one said "critical thinking". Thank you, thank you. I have been critically thunk to death. It has been used so much I believe it has lost most of it's meaning. You guys said it much better.

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I was going to say "attention to detail", but that's in that article. :) Attention to detail and the willingness to follow-up on your gut feeling that something is not right about something you have noticed.

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