What makes a bad nurse?

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi there. Kind of a brutal question... I'm looking into nursing, but not sure if it's for me. I've read about the good qualities to have, what about the not-so-good ones?

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

arrogant, know-it-alls are dangerous.

so is someone who lacks common sense.

laziness is annoying, but i've known a lot of lazy nurses who still manage to keep their patients alive and some very hard workers with no common sense who haven't.

BE NON JUDGEMENTAL!

Of all the providers I've had, the ones I loved the most (whether it be, RN, NP, MD...) are the ones that listen to your complaints, and take them as seriously as you do.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

IME, a nurse who is not a team player, a nurse who is lazy, a nurse that dismisses a patient's subjective symptoms without further investigation. These three characteristics are often exhibited by a "bad" nurse.

A Poor memory!

A nurse who makes fun of patients and their families; and lack of accountability. And all the other negative traits previous posters mentioned.

I was very upset when I heard a nursing instructor say that a "a good nurse is a bad nurse." Not sure what she meant b t I guess according to her if your were too nice (thin-skinned) you were not a good nurse. I do not agree with this but just wanted to but it out there. Maybe is best to be somewhere in middle.

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