The Key to a Successful Nursing Career There is a common attribute that every great nurse shares and it is a passion for caring for their patients. Hands on, or Hands off? A good nurse has a desire to help others, and without that, the career will be short lived. Nurses may have different delivery methods in helping patients. Some may put the emphasis on the patient helping themselves; other nurses are more hands on. One way is not right or wrong, it's simply an example of different styles and personalities. That being said, it should be the goal from day one of working with the patient is to get that person back to a healthy life. There may be times that it is easier to do something for the patient, however, if at all possible the patient needs to become self sufficient to be released from the hospital. A great and long lasting career in nursing means not just being a caring person, but also putting the patient's actual needs first. Many times that may involve telling the patient they need to get out of bed on their own, or to walk with the assistance of a walker and not another person. There are patients that will rely on their nurse for as much as possible, however a great nurse redirects the patient, as the recovery and self sufficiency is the ultimate goal. Assist when necessary, move away when not. Related: A Look into 2-year Nursing Degrees – Is it a Scam? Caring A great nurse is caring, understanding, and never passes judgment on their patient's. The ability to empathize and display compassion are traits of a good nurse. Nurses work with sick and injured patients on a daily basis, and they need to show the patient and their family that they do care about their situation, and that they will do all they can to help the patient improve. Simply being sympathetic about the patient’s hospital stay can go a long way towards improving the patient’s care. There are times that the nurses care and compassion is all a patient has to look forward to. At the same time there is a balancing act that nurses' need to comply with. They continuously deal with stressful situations, including emergencies, dramatic events and tragic illness; they must be able to successfully carry out their duties. Nurses must remain calm and think clearly under any circumstances.
Communication Communication skills are a basic foundation for any career. For nurses, however, it’s one of the most important aspects of the job. They must be able to communicate with doctors', patients, coworkers, and family members under very stressful situations, and in a fast-paced environment. They must also listen to Doctors orders and take perfect notes when necessary. Nurses should be able to follow directions without a problem and can communicate easily with patients and their families. A good nurse anticipates the patient's needs and provides the care that it’s necessary. Good communication in nursing creates high-level of patient satisfaction for preventing medical mistakes. Responsible Good nurses know how to perform all of their responsibilities and job functions with great accuracy and detail. Nurses play a major role in assessing and treating patient’s medical conditions, and when dealing with the help of another human being there’s a little room for error. Nurses must keep track of, and record any changes in the patient’s health and behavior, neglecting to do so could end up having serious consequences. A great nurse also tries to be responsible when it comes to their job demands and flexible with their time since emergencies can happen at any time. Nurses are needed to cover shifts 365 days a year, they are often required to work overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays. Most medical facilities are aware that their nurses need an adequate amount of time off and do everything they can to comply, but on occasion long shifts under extreme duress are possible, a good nurse takes this in stride. Emotional Stability Nursing is a very stressful job dramatic situation and tragic circumstances are all too common. The ability to accept suffering and death without allowing it to be personal is crucial in being a good nurse. Some days and even weeks can seem like nonstop sadness. Nurses must be able to maintain composure when delivering bad news to a patient and to their family members. Being supportive and compassionate without displaying your own emotions can sometimes be quite difficult, however it is a necessary part of nursing. As there are sad days in nursing, however there also heartwarming moments and happy times, helping a patient recover and reuniting family members are some of the special benefits of nursing. Related: Two Part-Time Nursing Positions vs. One Full-Time: Which is Better for You?
Boundaries Learning to implement boundaries between yourself and your patient is often one of the more difficult parts of nursing especially for new nurses. It is however, imperative. Nurses must maintain professional boundaries. Share little or no personal information with patients. There are ways to bond and interact with the patient without talking about your personal life, turn your attention to the patient and focus on them, let them share information as you listen. It is unfortunate; many great nurses have lost their careers due to inappropriate boundaries with patients. Acceptable interaction with patients • I have ___ number of children •I have been married ______ number of years •I enjoy baseball and volleyball •Yes, I always vote Unacceptable interactions •My children's names are ____ •My spouse and I were previously separated •I cannot stand _____ baseball team •My political affiliation is ____ •My religious preference is ____ Consider what you say and share with your patients. Your thoughts, ideas, and opinions regarding politics should never be shared. You could easily alienate a patient based on just a few select words. Its fine to be friendly and share small bits of your life, but avoid anything that could be offensive to the patient or that would be considered too personal on your own life. Nursing is a great profession, and every nurse should be proud to have the title of “nurse”. Related: Leading Registered Practical Nurse Liliane de Vries, RPN, CPCC, ASTP to be Published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare as New Member of the International Nurses Associatio Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter