Care is an essential part of any relationship, without which we would stop having any. From childhood, we expect everyone to care for us because the first lap that we opened our eyes in had an abundance of it. We could say that our parents spoil us into expecting every person into caring for us. Though it might sometimes lead to heartbreaks, it also emphasizes the importance of this very primary emotion. Though it is an excellent luxury to have, sometimes it becomes a necessity for survival. One of those cases is chronic anxiety and depression when our mind gives up on everything and needs a break. At such moments even a few words of love from a close person can make a difference. At other instances, we need care when our body physically gives up. At such moments, again, the close ones come to our aid, but in case of prolonged or severe issues, we look for professional help.
The professional help usually arrives in the form of healthcare professionals who cater to the needs of the patients. In the hospital, the doctors diagnose the issue and admit the patient if they need 24 hours care. That’s where nurses come to the rescue as they cater to the patients’ physical and emotional needs. If you aspire to become a nurse in the future, you might have many questions about it. One such query would be about the necessary competencies you must possess to be in the profession. Well, don’t worry, as we will discuss all the essential attributes of the nurses in this article with some elaboration.
- PROFESSIONALISM
Whatever the nurses say or do in the healthcare setting depicts their educational background and professional training. Nurses who remain in their professional boundaries are the favorite of all, doctors, administrations, and, most importantly, the patients. You might ask, what do pediatrics nurses do? The best way to answer this question is to observe the example of a professional pediatrics nurse. The same applies to nurses with any other specialization. Professionalism in nursing includes ethical standards such as attitude, respect, discipline, responsibility, among many others. Since nursing is not just a profession, it is also a lifestyle choice for people to satisfy their altruistic urges, it requires a high level of commitment.
- CULTURAL AWARENESS
We are going through massive globalization nowadays, as communications and traveling have become much more comfortable. The world has become a global village, and people from all backgrounds can now easily interact and live together. Such integration of the society calls for cultural awareness among the people so that they can understand and coexist with people from varying backgrounds. It is essential to understand people’s sensitivities without which there can’t be much harmony in society. Nurses deal with all sorts of patients, and for them, it is becoming equally important to educate themselves about different cultures. Patients from contrasting beliefs and customs will always have diverse preferences in terms of care and communication. The best way for the nurses to exercise cultural awareness is to set aside personal biases while doing their job.
- ATTENTION TO DETAIL
A good nurse never misses any detail about the patient, the environment, and about their job. Healthcare is a noble profession because what makes it gentle is the sheer care given to those who want it. And administering such care is not possible without paying attention to all the intricate details. Most of the time, the patients are not in the proper mental condition to utter what they are going through. Nurses not only notice their body language but also calm their nerves, easing them into speaking more. The patients not only feel understood but also appreciate the care they receive from merely a stranger. A study suggests that attention to detail helps in developing the competency of providing patient-centric care.
- CRITICAL THINKING
The job of nursing is full of problems, and without the ability of problem-solving, nurses would suffer a great deal. We must understand that in a patient’s health, sometimes every other matter and decision-making has to be quick and rational. Research believes that critical thinking can make or break a nursing career, and hence everyone values this skill. Good nurses not only evaluate the problem but also present a workable solution considering all the possible outcomes. They work in close coordination with their supervisors and doctors, providing them instantaneous information and help.
- COMPASSION
We always talk about how noble this profession is, but it would not be possible without the virtue of compassion. All humans have this attribute, and they exhibit it one or the other, but in nursing, your whole life revolves around possessing this quality. Without compassion, a nurse would be burdening the patients with more than what they are already going through. Yeah, everyone understands that the job is tough, and it can sometimes make you cranky, but bringing it out on the patients will only show your lack of compassion. The best way of coping with what the experts call nurse fatigue is to discuss with the manager, get a break to distract yourself and return with positive energy.
- TIME MANAGEMENT
As we already discussed, nurses have to make quick decisions, and that is not possible without possessing the skill of time management. Time management is not merely doing things as early as possible but also understanding which work requires our priority. Sometimes the trivial tasks can be delayed accommodating something urgent that will have an impact on the patient’s health. The nurses also understand that time management is not possible without the skill of people management.
- COMMUNICATION
Any job that requires meeting dozens of people involves the skill of communication, and nursing is no exception. Nurses must communicate better because the patients depend on their knowledge and expertise to get the best care. The patients do not understand the standard operating procedures, and the nurse must apprise them about it.
- CONCLUSION
Nursing is a brilliant profession that not only has a vast career scope but also caters for altruistic ambitions. People join nursing because they want to give something to society by taking care of their patients. Such a profession is sometimes very demanding, but you can manage it if you have the essential competencies helping you along the way. If you acquire these attributes, nursing will be an enjoyable and gratifying experience for you. We are going through massive globalization nowadays, as communications and traveling have become much more comfortable. The world has become a global village, and people from all backgrounds can now easily interact and live together. Such integration of the society calls for cultural awareness among the people so that they can understand and coexist with people from varying backgrounds. It is essential to understand people’s sensitivities without which there can’t be much harmony in society. Nurses deal with all sorts of patients, and for them, it is becoming equally important to educate themselves about different cultures. Patients from contrasting beliefs and customs will always have diverse preferences in terms of care and communication. The best way for the nurses to exercise cultural awareness is to set aside personal biases while doing their job.
