Aspiring nursing students often wonder what are the qualities of a good nurse. This article will explain the several qualities every registered nurse should have and their impact on the quality of nursing care provided. It also discusses who a registered nurse is and some of the responsibilities of a registered nurse. If you need help with your nursing assignments, place your order right now. We are the best nursing assignment writing service so you can be assured to receive top-notch nursing papers.
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Who is a registered nurse?
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program and met the requirements outlined by a country, state, province, or similar government-authorized licensing body to obtain a nursing license. It is one of the categories of nursing fields. Registered nurses (RNs) can work at the bedside with the sickest patients or choose to care for those who are mostly well. In addition, they can work directly with patients or indirectly by collaborating with teams caring for the patients. Registered nurses also work with patients of every age and population. The options for registered nurses are many when it comes to choosing a specialty.
The nursing field is constantly evolving. Nurses are thus required to possess the ability to work in many types of environments and in many different roles. Moreover, they need to possess the qualities of a good nurse. Registered nurses have the option of working in a hospital, clinics, prisons, home, or in any other specialty role.
The options for registered nurses also keep on growing. There are now many specialties and niches for nurses of different education levels.
Where do registered nurses work?
Nurses can now work in many different areas of healthcare. They also take on different roles with varying work environments. Nurses are now differentiated by either direct or indirect patient care areas.
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Direct patient care registered nurse.
The RN works directly with the patients performing different tasks. They work by collaborating with the other teams in charge of supporting and caring for the patients.
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Indirect patient care registered nurse.
This type of a registered nurse works in collaboration with the bedside nurse and other teams to support and care for the patients. This type of a registered nurse mainly does tasks concerning management or administration.
Here is a list of healthcare settings registered nurses can work in:
- Clinics.
- Hospitals.
- Governments.
- Physician offices.
- Skilled nursing facilities.
- Outpatient settings.
- Community health.
- High schools and correctional healthcare facilities.
What are some of the qualities a registered nurse should have?
1. Caring and empathy.
Caring as a nursing quality makes all the difference to patients. A nurse who shows the tendency to truly care about how their patients feel will have a significant impact on their success in their nursing career. This makes caring a key indicator of success in a nursing career. Another quality that stands out is empathy. The nurse should make a true effort to put themselves in their patients’ shoes.
Patients who get the chance to meet a nurse with this characteristic, experience the best nursing care. This is because nurses with this characteristic tend to treat their patients as “people” and focus on their well-being.
2. Communication skills
Strong communication skills are one of the critical characteristics of a nurse. This is because a nurse’s role relies on the ability to effectively communicate with other nurses, physicians, disciplines across other units, patients, and their families.
3. Problem-solving skills.
Problem-solving skills are one of the major characteristics of a good nurse. This is due to the fact that nurses who stay longer with patients are responsible for much decision-making related to their patient’s care. A bad decision can cause adverse effects on the patient’s well-being. Thus, it is required that a nurse should have problem-solving skills.
Training is the most effective way to shape a nurse’s problem-solving skills. Although experience also helps to hone this skill. Some nurses possess this skill naturally.
4. Willingness to learn.
With the recent inventions and technologies, the medical field has greatly evolved. Thus, a good nurse should possess a willingness to learn and apply what they have learned in inpatient care.
5. Sense of humor.
This skill helps the nurses as a form of stress-relief. This is because nurses encounter varying degrees of high-stress situations, thus taking an opportunity to enjoy downtime and incorporate a light-hearted attitude helps to calm them.
Moreover, having a good sense of humor helps spread positivity to other patients, nurses and families. Hence, it improves trust between the parties.
6. Commitment to patient advocacy.
A nurse that practices with a strong passion for patient advocacy will ensure they are always fighting for the very best care of their patients.
7. Critical thinking and time management.
