The qualities of a good nurse include being empathetic, knowledgeable, compassionate, motivated, communicative, flexible, supportive, goal-oriented and assertive. Nurses also need to be physically prepared to stand for long hours, lift patients when needed and report to locations quickly.
If you’re exploring becoming a nurse, you probably already have some qualities of a great nurse, like caring about others and wanting to make a difference. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field or 60 college credits, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, like the one at University of St. Thomas Houston, may be an ideal fit for you. Our students are compassionate, flexible and empathetic, and our program is dedicated to empowering them to strengthen the qualities they already have and incorporate them into their nursing career.
What is an ABSN? Learn more about how the accelerated nursing program works at University of St. Thomas.
So, what are some other nurse personality traits? Below, we list 13 qualities of a good nurse so you can see what it takes to excel in this rewarding profession.
1. Ethical
Nursing has been rated as the most trusted profession for the past 20 years, according to a poll by Gallup. The poll indicates that nurses continue to be perceived as the most honest and ethical professionals. That title is well deserved. Nurses need to be reliable, trustworthy and have integrity. After all, they are charged with providing life-changing care to patients. They also need to make ethical decisions.
2. Knowledgeable
Nurses must possess extensive knowledge to care effectively for their patients. Students who graduate from the St. Thomas ABSN program, also known as ABSN@UST, enter the field knowledgeable about human anatomy, microbiology and pathophysiology.
They are also given the skills it takes to be a capable nurse and have experience practicing these skills in real-world situations.
3. Communicative
Nurses communicate with a multitude of people during their day-to-day duties. Having the ability to effectively communicate everything—from patient statuses to educational information to medication instructions—is vital to your success as a nurse.
4. Compassionate
As a nurse, you’ll treat patients experiencing a variety of challenging situations. When your patients are upset or scared, compassion will be a key element in making them feel safe and cared for. If you’re interacting with a patient’s family, you’ll also need to be compassionate in order to form trusting relationships, build credibility and offer comfort.
Do you have what it takes to become a nurse? Here are five ways to help you decide if nursing is right for you.
5. Empathetic
Empathy is all about putting yourself in your patient’s shoes. If you were about to head into a surgery, it would comfort you to understand what to expect and how to care for yourself afterward. If you were taking a new medication, you’d want someone to make you aware of how it will affect your body. If you were suffering from an injury or illness, you’d want to be taken seriously and listened to.
Treating your patients with kindness and empathy is vital to providing quality care. Empathy also comes into play if a patient lashes out because they are frustrated or scared. Putting yourself in their shoes before responding can help you de-escalate the situation and find a solution.
6. Flexible
Nursing is a job that will keep you on your toes—and certainly on your feet! Nurses have to respond to urgent situations, and they’re responsible for wearing many different hats. Nursing is often unpredictable, and situations can change quickly. Additionally, nurses also need to be flexible with their schedules so that they can respond to their employer’s changing needs.
7. Attentive to Detail
From keeping accurate medical records to observing a patient’s behavior, nurses must be detail-oriented. Just as communication is an important trait, it’s just as important that the information being communicated is correct. That’s where attention to detail comes in.
8. Creative with Problem-Solving
Nursing requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Specifically, critical-thinking skills are necessary to put together pieces of information that may seem unrelated (such as medications for different conditions) and draw rational conclusions. Nurses may have to think quickly under pressure to troubleshoot patients’ needs. Those who work in triage are especially good at critical thinking. They must interpret diagnostic data to determine the next course of action in life-or-death situations.
9. Able to Advocate for Patients
As a nurse, you may find yourself in situations where you need to advocate for your patients. This may be in a family situation, domestic situation or helping a patient to advocate for themselves or navigate the medical system. Nurses may even need to advocate for themselves when vying for a promotion or new position.
10. Assertive
It’s important to know when to be assertive as a nurse and how to do it effectively, without being aggressive. For example, you may have to be assertive to ensure a patient follows instructions or a visitor observes visiting hours. A great nurse will be kind but also comfortable setting boundaries and being firm when necessary.
11. Goal Oriented
Successful nurses with BSN degrees know what they want out of their career! Having short-term and long-term goals as a nurse is a great way to stay on track. Whether those goals involve advancing your career, earning new certifications or specializations or just stepping out of your comfort zone as a nurse, having those goals in mind will help you be the best nurse you can be.
Wondering what you can do with a BSN? See 10 nursing specialties you can pursue as a career.
12. Motivated to Be a Self-Starter
Setting yourself up for success as a nurse means being ready and eager to do a great job. Completing necessary tasks without being asked, staying on top of your schedule and actively seeking out professional development opportunities are all ways to be a self-starter.
13. Physically Capable
Nursing is a physically demanding job. You’ll need to be able to work long shifts, lift patients up when needed and move equipment. You’ll also need to be able to report to different locations quickly.
Make a Bold Move for Your Future
If you have the qualities we listed above, now’s the time to pursue your dream of becoming a nurse.
What are the steps to get into a nursing program? See how you can make the transition to nursing school.
Find out if you’re a good fit for the ASBN@UST by contacting one of our dedicated admissions advisors, who will help you take the next steps toward earning a BSN. Seats are available now!