Qualities of a Good Nurse
While many of us have had the experience of meeting a variety of nurses under stressful or traumatic circumstances, some will disagree on what constitutes good nursing, or at least a good nursing personality. However, there are certain qualities that anyone will be happy to see in a nurse that greets them in, for example, an emergency ward.
Compassion:
When coming in to a hospital, a person is often under severe stress to begin with. One of the first qualities that you might notice and find important is compassion. Itis understandable that a nurse might have to hold back many emotions, butcompassion shines through regardless, whether it comes across with a smile ofencouragement, a touch of reassurance, or that extra minute of eye contact thatlets you know you matter.
Confidence:
A good nurse will often sweep in to the room, weathering each and every challenge by letting you, the patient, know that she or he is fully in charge and confident about what is happening with you, despite the medical emergency presented. Even if this is not the case with a good nurse internally (and sometimes they are afraid, too!), a good nurse still presents with this extra air of confidence and it is soothing as well as comforting.
Courage:
I mention courage because emotional and professional courage is at times required in order to go against the status quo, or question a colleague in their decision making at your vulnerable time, and even more courage might be required if the colleague is a doctor in a high position. There is something powerful aboutseeing a nurse who will advocate for our needs when we are most vulnerable, andoften without medical knowledge to question for ourselves.
Wisdom:
A good nurse possesses wisdom, and you can see this in that she or he will have some background; if not with your particularly medical issue, with another one that gives him or her some ability to empathize with the skills that can seem so unique to this profession. For example, a good nurse might be able to relate or transfer information about an internal issue to something she or he has seen elsewhere, bringing a variety of perspectives to your situation by applying what worked in another circumstance. Did gentle massage on an abdomen work to release urine flow once before...she might try that on you to obtain similar results.
Listening skills:
A good nurse walks in remembering that it is truly all about you! Her morning, day, or night shift was likely already stressful, yet a good nurse walks in to yourroom with that special ability to light up your world. He or she will sit downfor a quick moment if their schedule allows, and after asking how you are, heor she will simply let you vent about anything from how you are healing (or nothealing) to why your family has not made it in to visit you the last two days.A really good one can even remember what you said about the same topics the day before (making it important to add short term memory to the qualifications,perhaps).
Professionalism:
Despite his or her daily challenges, whether they are political, personal or professional, a good nurse is able to maintain order in the environment where she or he works. This will be reflected in the neatness of the room (even if they must call in a cleaning person to provide this), his or her ability to interact with all typesof personalities (even the cantankerous, ungrateful types), and communicationskills with colleagues and your family members. This communication skill is oneof the most important in building confidence for you and your family,particularly if the stay in hospital is a long term stay.
Sensitivity:
Finally, a good nurse displays his or her true calling as you experience and intuit their sensitive nature, something which might have triggered their interest in healthcare even when he or she was very young. This sensitivity spills over in manyareas, and affects the care a good nurse offers whether in an emergencysetting, a private nursing setting, or the very important palliative andhospice setting, a place where more of us are experiencing what none of us hopeto ever experience on a life journey. However, a good nurse can even light upthese environments, by providing unconditional caring, compassion, and evenhope, both for the present and future (and afterlife), showing that a trulygood nurse can often appear as an angel on earth, while still allowing him or herself to be fully human. It is worth it to return that gift back to a good nurse.
