Important nursing skills
Important Nursing Skills
Even though the fundamental skills of nursing are important, there are many other skills that are just as important. Most of the many different nursing theories come together as one, which help a nurse provide good nursing care. “The most abstract characteristic of a caring person is somehow responsive to another person as a unique individual, perceives the other’s feelings, and sets one person apart from another” (Blais & Hayes, 2012, p. 108) Caring and compassion are very important skills that all nurses should have because a patient will know if their nurse is being genuine. Patients not only want to be cared for, but also cared about.
A nurse must also be an active listener. A patient may feel sick or scared about their illness, hospital stay, or just feel lonely and in need of someone to talk to. A nurse must listen intently to their patient’s needs or concerns even if they do not believe what the patient is talking about is important. To listen intently the nurse must focus on what is being said. Good eye contact is key to active listening and the nurse should avoid fidgeting or looking around the room while the patient is talking. It could appear to the patient that the nurse is not sincerely listening. By using active listening we can create the rapport for a real partnership with patients who have been heard and affirmed (Bryant, 2009, p. 49-52). With out active listening a patient’s fears, concerns, or symptoms could be overlooked and may decrease the quality of care given to the patient.
A nurse should also be passionate about the quality of care they are giving. It is easy to pick out a nurse who is passionate about what they do. They show it in the way they treat and care for their patients, families, and team members. A passionate nurse is committed to giving care. They will follow through with their patients needs even on those busy days when there does not seem to be enough time to do
Even though the fundamental skills of nursing are important, there are many other skills that are just as important. Most of the many different nursing theories come together as one, which help a nurse provide good nursing care. “The most abstract characteristic of a caring person is somehow responsive to another person as a unique individual, perceives the other’s feelings, and sets one person apart from another” (Blais & Hayes, 2012, p. 108) Caring and compassion are very important skills that all nurses should have because a patient will know if their nurse is being genuine. Patients not only want to be cared for, but also cared about.
A nurse must also be an active listener. A patient may feel sick or scared about their illness, hospital stay, or just feel lonely and in need of someone to talk to. A nurse must listen intently to their patient’s needs or concerns even if they do not believe what the patient is talking about is important. To listen intently the nurse must focus on what is being said. Good eye contact is key to active listening and the nurse should avoid fidgeting or looking around the room while the patient is talking. It could appear to the patient that the nurse is not sincerely listening. By using active listening we can create the rapport for a real partnership with patients who have been heard and affirmed (Bryant, 2009, p. 49-52). With out active listening a patient’s fears, concerns, or symptoms could be overlooked and may decrease the quality of care given to the patient.
A nurse should also be passionate about the quality of care they are giving. It is easy to pick out a nurse who is passionate about what they do. They show it in the way they treat and care for their patients, families, and team members. A passionate nurse is committed to giving care. They will follow through with their patients needs even on those busy days when there does not seem to be enough time to do
References: Blais, K. K., & Hayes, J. S. (2012). Professional nursing practice: concepts and perspectives (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Health Science. Bryant, L. (2009). The art of active listening. Practice Nurse, 37, 49-52. Martin-Holland, J. J., Bello-Jones, T. T., Shuman, A. A., Rutledge, D. N., & Sechrist, K. R. (2003). Ensuring cultural diversity among california nurses. Journal Of Nursing Education, 42, 245-248.