Being a good nurse requires high levels of specialist knowledge and clinical skills. Being an excellent nurse requires far more than this. There are several more general transferable skills that will be invaluable to you during your nursing career, and the sooner you start working on them the more effectively you can develop them.
Not sure where to start? Here are some of the most important skills you’ll need to succeed as a nurse.
Communication
A key part of being a nurse is having the ability to explain complex medical information to patients from all different backgrounds, and who may have no prior knowledge of the subject or be in a state of distress. Strong communication skills are crucial for this, as well as the ability to listen actively and observe closely. Sometimes, what patients don’t say is as important as what they do say.
Attention to Detail
Nurses must deal with a lot of important information, and often in situations where a mistake could mean the difference between life and death. This includes precise dosages of medication, along with their serial numbers, batch numbers, and expiry dates. Attention to detail is also crucial for recognizing subtle medical symptoms in your patients, which you’ll learn more about in Texas Woman’s University online nursing programs.
Adaptability
In the world of healthcare, unexpected problems and emergencies are bound to arise regularly. For example, this could be a child who is frightened about undergoing a medical procedure, a psychologically unstable patient, or a pregnant person giving birth prematurely. As a nurse, you must be flexible enough to respond to these situations in a timely, effective, and appropriate manner.
Mental Strength
It’s no secret that nursing can be an emotionally challenging job sometimes. During your career, you are likely to have to deal with upsetting situations, such as a patient dying or young children suffering from severe medical issues. You must be able to separate your work life from your home life, to prevent any negative impact on your wellbeing.
Physical Stamina
It’s not only your mind that must be strong – your body needs to be too. Nurses often spend long hours on their feet during a shift, and you may not always be able to take a break when you want. Keeping physically fit will help make this aspect of the job much easier, and help you to better serve as a role model for your patients.
Organization
Nurses normally must juggle a large caseload and see many different patients every day. Each person will have their unique medical history, symptoms, and needs, as well as individual treatment recommendations. You must be able to stay on top of them all. This is in addition to completing various administrative tasks and continuing professional development requirements.
Teamwork
No nurse works in isolation. You’ll be part of a team of not only other nurses but various types of healthcare professionals such as doctors, surgeons, and paramedics. You must be able to fulfil your role within that team and understand everyone else’s, support your colleagues, and ask for help when appropriate. This will enable you to all work together cohesively and effectively.
