What Skills Are Important For Nursing

There is no denying that nurses are the backbone of the healthcare sector. Individuals who want to make a positive and meaningful impact and help vulnerable people usually step their foot into this career. Moreover, more and more students are pursuing a nursing degree because the nursing profession offers various employment opportunities with good pay and career advancement possibilities.

To give patients the highest possible care, nurse professionals collaborate with other healthcare providers, including doctors, physicians, etc. And even though the profession is pretty demanding, it is also lucrative and fulfilling. 

It is relevant to note that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has drastically impacted the healthcare system. No wonder the deadly pandemic has affected the healthcare sector the most. During this time, nurses served as frontline warriors.

Let’s face it; not everyone is fit to be a successful nurse. Put this way, just having a passion and acquiring the proper education and certifications isn’t enough. So today, employers are not hiring only based on qualifications. Instead, they are also looking for someone with exceptional skill sets. 

Are you wondering what necessary skills you must have to be successful in your career? Well, in that case, you have come to the right place.

Below is the list of essential nursing skills you must hone to take your nursing career to the next level:

Communication

There is no denying that communication is one of the most crucial skills needed to excel in every job. It is even more important for nurses.

You will frequently interact with doctors, physicians, nurses, and medical staff as a nurse. Also, you will be in talks with the patients and their families. Thus, effective communication is a must-have skill for all nurses.

Excellent communication skills can lessen the chances of medical errors since you will listen attentively and interpret the orders correctly. Moreover, when you listen actively to your patients and maintain eye contact, you can gain their trust.

Time management

Time is of the essence in healthcare. For instance, early or late doses of medicines or injections might cause delays and even significantly impact the patient’s condition. 

A large part of a nurse’s responsibilities includes administering medications, feeding, bathing, etc. Moreover, nurses are always on their toes throughout their shifts, juggling different tasks. Therefore, if you want to succeed, you must have the ability to manage your time well at work. 

You can effectively manage your time by prioritizing tasks to ensure you spend your time on urgent issues. In addition, good organization and delegation skills can help you stay productive at your job, give you a sense of control, and alleviate work stress.

Empathy

The ability to place oneself in another’s shoes is empathy. Being empathetic, you can relate to and react to other people’s experiences and feelings. 

As a nurse, you will always meet patients struggling with a health disease or injury. Of course, when a patient suffers from an illness or injury, it is a challenging time for the patient and their loved ones. They may feel a flood of emotions, such as frustration, sadness, anger, etc. Thus, practicing empathy in your role can help support the patient and their family while providing proper care.

Networking

One of the crucial skills that most nurses overlook is networking. Most professionals think networking skills are only vital for business individuals, such as sales and marketing. However, the truth is far from it. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, can’t offer the best quality patient care by working solely. 

Thus, as a nurse, you can enjoy endless benefits when you network. For instance, building a strong network helps you uncover exciting job opportunities. Moreover, the better you network, the greater chances you can stay up-to-date with the latest trends and industry knowledge and practices. 

Attention-to-detail

Among various members of the healthcare team who interact with patients directly are nurses. These professionals are responsible for conducting several tasks throughout their shifts. For example, they are responsible for jotting down doctor’s or physician’s notes, taking patients’ vitals, administering medications, counseling patients, etc. Therefore, nurses must be detail-oriented since a patient’s life might be at stake in many circumstances.

Remaining observant and focusing on every minute detail while balancing the daily job responsibilities can take your nursing career to the next level. Staying meticulous can help you to avoid medical errors and perform your best at the job. 

Critical thinking

Let’s face it; nurses are constantly experiencing new conditions, patients, and symptoms. Moreover, a patient’s condition may sometimes change within seconds or minutes. Thus, another vital skill nurses must hone is critical thinking.

Critical thinking skill refers to the ability of a person to actively analyze the information or situation, rationally connect the dots and reach a logical conclusion.

As a nurse, you might encounter certain situations where you must make quick yet accurate decisions to improve the patient’s overall health. For instance, the medications prescribed to a patient may not suit them, and as a result, the patient’s condition might get worse. Thus, possessing excellent critical thinking skills can help you tackle tricky situations.

Adaptability and flexibility

The work environment for nurses is usually unpredictable. 

For example, a quiet day meant to care for newborns can suddenly change to high intensity when five women simultaneously come to a labor room. Unpredictable situations might make you anxious or frustrated. 

In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic proved to the nurses and doctors that anything could happen at any time. For this reason, it would be best if you adopted adaptability and flexibility to succeed in your career. Simply put, you must be ready for any last-minute changes. Being flexible also means keeping up with the most recent advancements in the industry.

Physical and emotional stability

A nurse’s job differs from traditional 9-5, where professionals have to sit throughout their office time. As a nurse, you will always be on your toes all day and night. Besides working long hours, nurses also need to be physically fit and healthy as their job demands strenuous physical activities. For example, you will be responsible for assisting patients and transporting equipment. So, how can you offer the best quality care to your patients when you don’t have strong physical stamina?

Furthermore, it would help if you also are mentally strong. Undoubtedly, during your shift, you may witness things or situations that might make you upset or stressed. Thus, remaining composed and maintaining emotional stability is a must.

Summing up

Being a nurse is no easy feat. But, to meet the demands of your profession and tackle the everyday pressure that comes with your job, you must develop and polish the necessary skills and be successful. Note that the list of skills may be longer than this, but you don’t have to feel intimidated. Chances are, you already possess these traits. But, even if you don’t, don’t fret; it’s never too late to learn them. With time and practice, you can hone the essential skills and succeed in your nursing career.