The qualities of a good nurse include being empathetic, compassionate, communicative, and assertive. Good nurses must be committed to ethical practice and lifelong learning. Nurses must also 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 likely already embody key qualities of a good nurse, like caring about others and wanting to make a difference. Good nurses are also committed to upholding strict standards of professional ethics. They pay attention to the small details and serve as effective patient advocates. These characteristics are essential in nurses because patients rely on nurses to protect and promote their well-being.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field or at least 60 college credits, consider applying to the University of St. Thomas’ Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Our students are compassionate, flexible, and empathetic, and our program is dedicated to empowering them to strengthen their valuable qualities and incorporate them into their nursing careers.
What is an ABSN? Learn more about the accelerated nursing program at the University of St. Thomas.
What are some other nurse personality traits? First, consider the impact of a nurse’s qualities and competence on patient care. Then, consider the top characteristics beneficial in nursing and how you can actively develop them.
Understanding the Impact of Nurse Characteristics on Patient Care
Effective patient care requires more than knowing how to place an IV line and document medications. In addition to these technical skills, nurses need certain soft skills or qualities.
Some of these qualities, such as compassion, empathy, and interpersonal skills, provide for a better patient care experience. In addition, when patients can connect to their nurses and develop a trusting relationship with them, they may be more likely to adhere to their treatment recommendations. Patients may also be more likely to confide sensitive personal information that can affect their health. As a result, these nurse characteristics can lead to better health outcomes.
Some qualities can more directly contribute to better outcomes. For example, nurses with strong communication skills are more effective at delivering patient education. Nurses with good critical thinking skills and strong attention to detail are likelier to notice when something seems wrong and requires attention.
Top Qualities of a Good Nurse
Good nurses have a varied skill set, and some may excel at certain areas of nursing better than others. In general, however, all competent nurses are committed to maintaining the profession’s ethics.
1. Ethical
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has established the Code of Ethics for Nurses. It guides nurses in prioritizing the patient’s well-being, respecting their right to healthcare autonomy, and promoting health equity and social justice. All future nurses should study the code closely and take it to heart.
According to a Gallup poll, nursing has been rated as the most trusted profession for 24 consecutive years. The poll indicates that nurses continue to be perceived as the most honest and ethical professionals. That title is well deserved. Given that they are charged with providing life-changing care to patients, nurses need to be reliable, trustworthy, and have integrity.
2. Communicative
Nurses communicate with various people during their daily duties, including patients, family members, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Effective communication, from patient statuses to educational information to medication instructions, will be vital to your success as a nurse.
3. Compassionate and Empathetic
As a nurse, you’ll treat patients experiencing various challenging situations. When your patients are upset or scared, compassion will be key in making them feel safe and cared for. If you’re interacting with a patient’s family, you’ll also need to be compassionate to form trusting relationships, build credibility, and offer comfort.
Empathy is closely linked with compassion. Empathy is all about putting yourself in your patient’s shoes. Treating your patients with kindness and empathy is vital to providing quality care. Empathy also comes into play if patients lash 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.
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4. Attentive to Detail
Nurses must be detail-oriented when keeping accurate medical records and observing a patient’s behavior. Strong attention to detail can help nurses identify potential medical mistakes before they become significant problems that jeopardize a patient’s health. For example, the nursing team is responsible for determining the potential problem and reaching out for clarification before administering the drug if a physician has prescribed a medication that may interact with the patient’s existing medications.
5. Critical Thinker and Problem-Solver
The qualities of a good nurse include critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Critical thinking skills are necessary to gather 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 and identify solutions. Those who work in triage are especially good at critical thinking. They must interpret diagnostic data to determine the next step in life-or-death situations.
6. Patient Advocate
As a nurse, you may find yourself in situations where you need to advocate for your patients. Some examples of serving as an effective patient advocate include:
- Ensuring your patient understands their treatment options
- Helping the patient communicate their concerns to other healthcare providers
- Assisting patients in navigating insurance issues
- Connecting patients to community resources
Nurses may even need to advocate for themselves when explaining why their nursing unit needs more resources or staff.
7. Assertive
It is 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.
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8. Physically Capable
Nursing is a physically demanding job. You’ll need to be able to work long shifts, lift patients when needed, and move equipment. You’ll also need to be able to report to different locations quickly, so expect to spend long shifts on your feet.
Do note, however, that not all nursing specialties require a great deal of physical stamina. You may find that family care nursing offers a slower pace of work.
Continuing Education: Why Good Nurses Never Stop Growing
Competent nurses are committed to lifelong professional development regardless of their skill set. They learn from each challenge they encounter, stay on top of the latest nursing research, and remain receptive to feedback from their fellow nurses.
Can You Learn to Be a Good Nurse?
Concerned that you don’t have all the necessary qualities of a nurse? There’s no need to worry; learning to be a better nurse is indeed possible. In nursing school, you’ll have opportunities to develop these soft skills and more.
Make a Bold Move for Your Future
If you think you have many of the qualities of a nurse, consider taking the next step toward pursuing a nursing career in Houston. The University of St. Thomas welcomes applicants who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits from an accredited institution. Our admissions team also looks beyond your transcripts, considering whether your character is the right fit for a nursing career.
What are the steps to get into a nursing program? See how you can make the transition to nursing school.
Make a Bold Move for Your Future
At UST’s ABSN program, you can graduate in as few as 12 months over four consecutive semesters. You’ll benefit from our small class sizes, Academic Success Coaches, and hybrid learning approach that helps make nursing education more accessible. Plus, there’s no waitlist and three start dates each year, so you can get started sooner than you’d think.
Contact our admissions advisors today to find out if our ABSN program is the right fit for you.