What personalities traits are necessary for success and happiness in nursing?

[ixchel]

I'm curious to hear everyone's ideas on this- especially those who have been in it for awhile. What traits have helped you in nursing? What traits do you wish you had, if you sometimes feel yourself lacking the drive to be "in it" anymore?

[84RN]

Attention to detail, interest in learning new things throughout your career, assertive yet not pushy/rude, not easily intimidated ( this is something I've had to work on ), willingness to stand up for your patient or what you know is right no matter who is telling you something else, stamina for those long shifts without much downtime, ability to keep calm in a crisis, not a slow-poke.

[RURN2O11]

Good work ethic, determination, compassion, empathy, a willingness to work with others (both patients & coworkers), & definitely a good sense of humor b/c that is the only way to stay sane sometimes :) Also need a good dose of assertiveness to deal with some of the doctors

[RURN2O11]

And how could I forget ORGANIZATION?! I think this skill has helped me more than almost anything else b/c being organized saves you so much time & frustration. I've learned that one of the best things I can do to ensure I have a good shift is to gather all my supplies at the very beginning of the shift. That way I'm not running back & forth to the supply room all night (or day). It makes such a difference! Even though my report sheet is probably illegible to some, I do have a very specific way or organizing it & I think that too makes a huge difference b/c I always know exactly where to look for lab values, dietary orders, PMH, blood sugars, meds, etc.

[RNGriffin]

Your major asset is going to be the ability to be firm, patience, willing to compromise, willing to ask questions when you're uncertain, and tough skin. I have been called every name under the sun, including God's Child. But, in this profession the seasoned nurses & arrogant doctors(some not all) will eat you alive if you don't posses the skills to tactfully stand your ground!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

People who seem to take personal responsibility over their lives and career seem to enjoy the most success. On the other hand, people who blame external factors for all of their personal issues ("It is not my fault!") seem to be the ones most likely to be left behind.

[sherdk]

sense of humour-- especially being able to laugh at yourself!!

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Traits that have helped me: being organized, having a thick skin, insatiable curiosity about anything that affects my practice.

Traits that have hurt me: being overly self-critical. A little self-criticism is necessary, but too much is counter-productive. It took me a few months to rein that one in to a healthier level.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

As so many have said, you must have a sense of humor---preferably one that is just a little warped---to survive in this profession. No one can see and do some of the things we see and do without having a safe place to offload....otherwise, we wind up burning out, or going off the deep end.

Organized, team player, compassionate, intelligent, knowledgeable.......all these virtues are needed in order to be a good nurse. But it's empathy---the quality that enables one to put her/himself in the patients' place and meet them where they are---that distinguishes a great nurse from a good one.

We all can't experience everything our patients go through (thank goodness!). The empathetic nurse goes beyond her/his own limited view of the world to step into their lives for a moment and see through their eyes, as much as possible, the devastation of a terminal diagnosis......the life-changing impact of diabetes or a heart attack......the grief of delivering a stillborn infant. This nurse also shares their joy when the cancer is in remission or when the critically ill child goes home with Mom and Dad, and rarely (if ever) thinks about her/his own role in the victory. :)

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

Just so long as you don't claim to be Luke's father...

----- Dave

Yup, or else you will start seeing this reaction on peoples faces:

Now to answer your question. As others have said, empathy, reliability, and a good sense of humor are all pretty important character traits. But here are the two that I want to emphasize, and this is because they do not come naturally to me. I wanted to point that out because character traits can be learned if you set your mind to it.

1) Flexibility. Your plan is going to change. Always. So learn to go with the flow, or you will drive yourself crazy. I'm the kind of person that likes to plan my life ahead of time. If you ask me to do something on the spur of the moment, I will probably say no. But as a nurse I have learned that any plans I have for the day's "to do list" should be penciled in, so to speak.

2) Be detail oriented. At home I am disorganized and a little (okay, a lot) messy. But at work I consider myself a different person. On my "brain" (my cheat sheet at work with info on my patients) everything has its place, I am generally able to recall important lab values off the top of my head, and during my assessments I need to be able to remember the smallest details to monitor them for changes throughout my shift.

So learn how to be OCD and laid back at the same time...have fun!

[orthonurse55]

Everyone has given some wonderful examples. I agree with all of these, and also think being a little bit humble helps too. I have been a nurse for 39 years and never have taken myself too seriously. It's too easy to get your feelings hurt if you do. I am always willing to learn a new way to do something and to give it a try. Maybe these "young whippersnappers" know something I DON'T know!

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

Curiosity. Why is that heart doing that? Why does the patient appear different? Why am I suddenly worried about this patient, what is my subconscious seeing that I can't quite verbalize yet?

Calmness. The crazier it gets, the calmer I get. Don't scare the patients. And REALLY don't scare your coworkers.

Firm sense of own internal identity. Like me, don't like me, I'm not here for your approval or unconditional positive regard, I'm here to keep my patient alive. Nobody wants to work with you if you're crying that nobody likes you, or if you're continually starting crap to get an audience. Don't be that person

Ability to focus. I don't care if I'm in the middle of a code, I focus on doing the next right thing.

Humor. Have the ability to laugh at yourself.

Ability to maintain a distance. Yes, care about your bleeding patient, but don't bleed for them.

Check your ego at the door and ask for help when you need it.

[313RN, BSN, RN]

I'm going to add one thing to a growing list of important traits: Intestinal fortitude and the inner strength to do what needs to be done (like advocating for your patient or yourself).

We don't eat the young where I work, but we do eat the weak.