What things do you feel set apart the great nurses from the good ones?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

For me:

1. Taking extra tie to just chat with patients

2. Consistently using facial expressions to show genuine happiness/sadness/concern, etc

And many more things, but I'm having a hard time coming up with them at the moment.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Too many things to list, but the ability to connect with people is up there.

[lpnflorida, LPN]

I agree the ability to connect with her patient is up there. I would also add the ability to be proactive with their patients and the symptoms they are observing. The ability to multitask . I rank up there,that intuitive nurse. That is the part that I have seen time and time again. That little thing in the back of their mind which tells them to go check on so and so at just the right time which heads off a calamity. That is the thing which I feel can not be taught. I have seen it in the greatest nurses. However not all nurses have it.

[MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN]

I agree with all of the above... just wanted to add this.

I really like it when nurses follow up. It really makes a difference. :) You get more trust that when you do this!

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

I am not claiming to be a great nurse......but i work with one. She is an awesome patient advocate. We have been having problems with our IV pumps and nobody can seem to figure out what is wrong with them, other than that they are really old and probably need to be replaced. We work for a 'for profit' institution that is not going to spend that type of money. While all of us other nurses just put up with them, she took the initiative to write incident reports when they malfunction, talk to the CEO, she has informed the MD's that their prescribed IV meds aren't being administered properly b/c of the malfunctioning pumps, ect. Nothing has been done yet.....but i admire her for doing this

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

For me, the best nurse is the one who takes personal responsibility for his/her actions. Second, I appreciate someone who is willing to learn. In my experience, the life-long learner turns out to be someone who can teach me a lot and I find that valuable to my own growth.

[PMHNP10]

what others say plus a reasonable patient load; many nurses are excellent nurses who are reduced to good or even adeuate because they are having to share their compassion, expertise, etc. with 7+ patients; something has to give when you are spread too thin

[Jules A, MSN]

I think like others have said that having empathy and really caring about your patients is one of the first things on my list. Being competent is important also. The other thing for me is a nurse that is willing to do whatever needs to be done whether it be picking up trash on the floor or volunteering to help a fellow nurse when needed. I'm very fortunate to be able to work with several I would call great nurses. :)

[MoopleRN]

Wow. What an eye-opener thread this is! This is something I've been thinking about lately.... am I a good nurse? How can I be a better nurse? I'm a spiritual person and I always pray for a good shift/guidance before I clock in....

I reflect on my capabilitles. I look up stuff/reveiw what I don't know. I ALWAYS try to connect with my patients on a personal level.

At my basic nursing level, I practice safe nursing care... and truly give a crap about my patients. There are good nurses and great nurses. If I could judge for myself whether I'm good or great, I'd like to say I'm great because I get good press gaineys.

In actuality, I get zilch good press gaineys. I work night shift and between the confusion/pain, the patients don't remember me when they fill out the evals. When they see me as I turn them/change their briefs/give them pain meds/restart their IVs..... they think I'm I'm a great nurse. Then they praise the PCT who washed their hair on day shift.

:wink2:

PS, no I don't really need PGs to know if I'm a good nurse or not.... I know I'm a good nurse with lots to learn yet.... I also know being a good nurse isn't JUST about being a good/competent nurse for the patient, it's also about being a good COWORKER.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Nurses who can communicate effectively with almost everyone, knows how to troubleshoot almost any problem, can be a strong resource for co workers, willing to help others, provide safe care, educate staff,md's, pts or family members when needed. Fun to work with and have a great sense of humor.

[Aneroo, LPN]

Critical thinking

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

Many good answers on here and also I'd like to say being the patients advocate. This means putting in place measures necessary to make sure the physician listens to you - sometimes the patient is too sick, tired, awestruck to make their needs known to the physician. Same goes for overbearing families.