7 Qualities That Great Nurses Share

We all know that being a nurse is not easy. Most of us are aware of the grueling hours, crazy schedules and the almost unforgiving demands nurses face. In the words of Donna Cardillo, “Nursing is not for everyone. It takes a very strong, intelligent and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well-being of the planet. No wonder we’re exhausted at the end of the day!” As nurses, we manage to face each day because we know the personal satisfaction we feel when we help an individual in need. We know the elderly patients who rely on us to give them a smile and the anxious mothers who feel relief when we care for their youngsters give us that unexplainable sense of fulfillment in what we do.

As times progress, technology advances and healthcare remains ever-changing and ever-evolving, there is one thing that will always stay the same: the qualities we have as nurses. Let’s take a closer look at seven qualities all great nurses share.

1. Empathy

Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Although the general environment of a hospital can be more formal, a kindhearted nurse can provide the topmost excellence of patient care. It should come as no surprise that, according to surveys, empathy is the number one thing that makes patients satisfied.

2. Communication Skills

A great part of our roles involves communicating with patients. Although we may do this all day long, are we ensuring that we are communicating effectively? We should always do a self-awareness check to see if we are letting the patient know what the game plan for their care is, when their exams will be scheduled, how long the exams will take, among others. The simple act of just communicating well with the patient is one of the greatest qualities of a nurse.

3. Stamina

Nurses work long hours with very few breaks in between. Most of our time is spent on our feet running from here to there to take care of our patients’ needs. Getting through a single shift requires a fair amount of physical endurance. Staying healthy by exercising and eating healthy foods will help us build up the stamina we need for the physical demands of our job.

4. Attention to Detail

Although some people seem to think we have magical powers and can read their minds, the raw truth is: we cannot read your minds, but we do have great attention to detail. We pick up on little things you have said here and there, signs your body/illness is showing us and small details you may not have realized we caught. Taking note of the little things will help us be better nurses and know how to better help our patients.

5. Sense of Humor

With all the dark things we see day in and day out, it should come as no surprise that overall, nurses have a great sense of humor. We need the relief of some laughter throughout our day and small pranks and a good belly laugh all make part of our days. We see enough negativity on a daily basis, no need for us to add to it as well! A heartfelt smile with some genuine laughter will brighten yours and everyone’s day.

6. Time Management

It should probably have taken us only one shift to realize that a 12-hour shift in nursing can pass in the blink of an eye. From the time we clock in until the time our shift is ending, we bounce from one thing to another caring for our patients and resolving all the issues that appeared throughout our shift. An essential quality we should have as nurses is extraordinary time management to effectively make use of our time at work.

7. Open-Mindedness

As nurses, we receive every nitty-gritty detail of someone’s life. The history of a patient’s sex life, the religious beliefs that will not allow the patient to be vaccinated and patients who refuse to accept treatment are all a normal part of our daily experiences in nursing. It is not our place to judge, but only accept our patient’s decision and support them however we can. We are there, first and foremost, to care for them and provide them with the care they so desperately need.

This list is only a short example of so many of the wonderful qualities nurses have. As nurses, we are there for people when they are most vulnerable. We care for them, support them and help them. Nursing is a noble profession and, without a doubt, it takes a very special person to become a nurse.

Are there any traits you think I might have missed? Or do you have any great advice for fellow nurses? If so, let me know in the comments below!