The Indian nursing syllabus is at par with the world’s best nursing curriculum; however, we witness a dilution in its implementation. It is a nursing student right to demand implementation. Nursing is not for everyone. It's a lifetime choice. It needs a paradigm shift of mindset. Nurses should not only acquire clinical skills they should possess multiple traits. In this article, I list below 13 Traits of effective nurses, distilled from my experience of nearly 3 decades in nursing in both army as well as corporate hospitals. These traits or competencies are not always taught in the classroom, but nevertheless differentiate the great nurses from the rest.

 

1. Confidence

Be confident that what has been learned in Nursing school has made you ready to deliver your responsibilities. Be optimistic, assertive and enthusiastic. Often, we find nurses to be timid and naïve – that makes the patient and patient family nervous as well. As a nurse, when you show a confident body language and demeanor, you give the impression that you know your job!

 

2. Connection

Your ability to connect, make decisions and ask the right questions all help in building rapport with your patient and your peers and seniors. When you are able to establish that connection, you help in the healing process. Also, social networking with the fraternity and beyond is crucial. When you invest time in building nurturing relationships at the workplace with other members of the care team, the patient experiences a holistic healing process.

 

3. Critical thinking

Observe and think critically. Spot patters or exceptions. The right action at the right time is of paramount importance. A lot of these things will not be taught in the classroom, it is learned every day on the job. So be alert and vigilant and notice things like medication errors, readings, drug reactions and communicate aberrations. It could result in timely action that saves lives.

 

4. Communication skills

Communication is key. Though it is an essential part of nursing education, it's not always covered in-depth in the syllabus. Learn to communicate effectively with patients, families, and colleagues. Good communication can help you build trust and rapport with patients and their families, and can also help work effectively with other healthcare professionals. We see a significant gap in communication with nurses being very shy and silent, even though clinically they are sound. Consequently, if you consciously develop your ability to speak up and articulate clearly, you will stand out in the crowd.

 

5. Emotional resilience

Nursing can be a highly emotional and stressful profession, and fresh nurses may encounter difficult situations that they may not have anticipated. It's essential to develop emotional resilience to cope with the challenges that they may face. This involves developing coping strategies, being aware of emotions, and seeking support when needed. Self-care is also crucial to maintaining emotional resilience, such as taking time to relax, exercise, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

 

6. Adaptability

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and freshers will need to be adaptable to change. It's essential to be open to feedback and willing to learn from mistakes. Adapting to change can also involve being flexible with schedule and being willing to work in different environments or with different patient populations.

 

7. Time management

Nurses have a lot of responsibilities, and it's important to be able to manage time effectively. Prioritizing tasks, delegating when appropriate, and staying organized can help stay on top of your workload and avoid burnout. Remember that time management is not just about working harder, but also about working smarter.

 

9. Compassion and Empathy

Nursing is a profession that requires compassion and empathy. Understand that not only physical care but also emotional support is to be given to patients. Nurses need to show empathy and compassion towards their patients and their families. Be patient, kind, and supportive, and actively listen to patients to understand their needs and concerns.

 

10. Professionalism

Always maintain high standards of professional conduct. Be punctual, reliable, and accountable for your actions, and maintain appropriate boundaries with patients and their families. It's also important to adhere to ethical principles such as confidentiality, informed consent, and respect for patient autonomy.

 

11. Interpersonal Skills

Establish a good rapport with patients, families and colleagues. Collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated care to patients.

 

12. Technical Skills

Be technologically savvy. This is mandatory to practice in a complex healthcare environment where there are many systems talking to each other. Make sure you learn the software in use when you join the workplace and then help others around you on these systems and processes. Teaching is the best way to learn.

 

13. Continuous Learning

Finally, be updated with the current happenings in the healthcare world. Know about the new protocols, drugs and diagnostics. Even if your own workplace is not following all of them, it is your duty to keep yourself relevant always, especially since all information is easily accessible via the net and AI platforms. Make learning by reading a daily 15-minute ritual and suddenly you will find yourself to be a powerhouse of knowledge and expertise, even beyond your curriculum.

All the very best for a fulfilling nursing career, my young friends.

 

By Capt (Dr) Usha Banerjee, exclusively for NurseIndia