I have had the privilege of working among countless great nurses in my five years of Critical Care Nursing. I have benefited greatly from experienced nurses who trained me, passing along their knowledge and wisdom while also benefiting from the upbeat energy radiating from new nurses. Each brings unique skills that contribute to excellent patient care. I’ve decided to describe some of these qualities.
Compassion is the heart of nursing. We have compassion for our patients, finding ways to make them feel better on their worst day. We hold their hands when they’re scared and dab away their tears. We have compassion for their families, coming to console them when they break down in grief outside patient rooms. There are days that your heart breaks, and the compassionate understanding of your coworkers is the only thing that holds you together.
Inclusion means “to include”. A good nurse provides care to a diverse patient population, regardless of race, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. A great nurse actively seeks opportunities to learn about these populations and the disparities affecting their health and access to care. They acknowledge the existence of implicit bias and combat it. A great nurse sees the different cultures in their patient populations and celebrates them.
Innovation is an asset found in great nurses. Great nurses see weaknesses in processes and find ways to improve them. Great nurses scour medical journals and databases seeking high quality evidence to incorporate into practice to improve patient outcomes.
Sincerity A great nurse is sincere with patients and their families. They avoid the scripted responses so often heard and speak from the heart. They are authentic in their interactions with patients and their families.
Ownership is a quality found in great nurses. They understand all of their responsibilities and strive to surpass expectations. They take pride in their practice, endeavoring to improve shortcomings because it is a representation of themselves.
Wisdom comes with experience and is a quality shared by many great nurses. Wisdom is the knowledge accumulated over time. A great nurse can be presented with a patient and recall a similar situation and the treatment process. It needs to be shared among nurses, physicians, and other members of the care team.
Communication is a key quality of great nurses. Therapeutic communication must be used with patients and peers. Additionally, great nurses know when to be assertive; when to express concern to the care team. A great nurse communicates clearly and concisely, reducing error and mismanagement in delivery of care.
Critical Thinking is a hallmark of a great nurse. Critical Thinking skills are not developed overnight; they are learned over time with each new experience. Great nurses understand the effects of medications and treatments on their patients, noting potential hazards, interactions, and more. They think beyond an order and understand the ripple-effect it may have on their patient.
Humor is something all great nurses must have. There are many different types of humor I’ve encountered when working among great nurses. While sarcasm seems to be the international language of nurses, it is not the only type found in great nurses. Great nurses find ways to make patients smile, from drawing silly cartoons on patient’s doors to a running commentary on the Jerry Springer show. Laughter is, after all, the best medicine.
I’ve just reached my fifth year in Critical Care nursing. From day one, I was surrounded with great nurses. I’m inspired daily by my coworkers- the new grad who can always start conversations with the most guarded of patients; the nurses who are champions of wellness, doing twenty squats each hour at the nurse’s station; the Emergency room nurse who radiates hilarity with each breath they take; the nurse who singlehandedly researched and implemented a policy change; and the nurse who totes a shampoo bin throughout the unit to make patients feel a little bit more like themselves- They exemplify greatness and their example is invaluable to me.
Kate Best is a 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.