Whether they work in someone’s home, in a rural clinic, or a large city hospital, nurses have two key skills. One is providing physical care, and the other is offering emotional support to patients. These core proficiencies are acquired through a solid university education, as well as on-the-job practice.
However, some of the soft skills needed to succeed are harder to teach and have to be nurtured through hours of clinical experience.
Communicating effectively
Nurses need to communicate clearly and accurately when caring for patients, collaborating with colleagues, and designing care plans.
As students, nurses are taught to listen, ask questions and be attentive to what other people say, as these habits help them to build positive relationships with patients and members of their team.
If you are considering a career in nursing, the Second Degree Distance Hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) at Holy Family University is an excellent choice.
The program is delivered full-time and designed for bachelor’s degree graduates from any other field, and hardworking students can expect to qualify within fourteen months.
Also Read: So You Want to be a Nurse? Here’s What You Need to Know!
Prioritizing tasks
To provide the best support to their patients, nurses often have to manage several tasks in a brief period. They do this by learning to prioritize what is most important in terms of being life-threatening or a potential emergency, then working down the list in order of importance.
This is achieved through the experience of being in a pressurized environment but having to remain focused on the care and health of each patient on the ward.
Nurses can perfect this skill by creating a list of tasks, using a reliable method to prioritize them, and communicating their progress to colleagues so that no job is repeated.
Maintaining a professional approach
Nurses have to combine compassionate care with a professional attitude to support the best possible outcomes for their patients.
Striking a balance and keeping a level of professional detachment can be a challenge at first, but there are ways to uphold this side of the role. Primarily, it involves taking a patient-first stance and ensuring that their actions are always geared toward improving the care they deliver.
This makes it easier to form a bond with patients, and as a result, they are more likely to follow a care plan. Furthermore, by dressing appropriately, pursuing further certifications, and taking responsibility for their errors, nurses can continually cultivate their professionalism.
Also Read: The Nurse’s Role in Neonatal Care
Adapting quickly
Healthcare is subject to frequent periods of change, and every working day brings new experiences for nurses.
The ability to adapt to unexpected situations is, therefore, crucial. Nurses can develop this skill through mentorship programs with senior colleagues and courses that keep them updated about new trends.
In the first days and weeks in a new role, they take time to get to know their colleagues and learn more about the workplace culture. This allows them to build trusting relationships with people who they can rely on when something happens suddenly.
