As the country’s largest healthcare profession, nursing shows no indications of deceleration regarding demand and job growth projections. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 194,500 nursing positions will be available annually between 2020 and 2030.
This article provides a guide on the various skills that are essential for becoming a successful registered nurse.
Communication skills
Good communication skills in nursing are vital. Working in teams with other nurses and professionals from different disciplines requires solid interpersonal abilities. Nurses who take the time to listen and understand patient concerns can resolve issues quickly, leading to improved health outcomes.
Conversely, poor communication skills in healthcare might result in patients misinterpreting instructions and disregarding treatment guidelines. It may also cause a team breakdown in workflow, resulting in medical errors. This can be incredibly alarming, considering that Joint Commission International reports that 80% of medical errors result from ineffective patient transfer communication.
Nursing professionals should approach every patient engagement with the aim of comprehending the patient’s worries, experiences and viewpoints. This includes active listening, teach-back strategies, and verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
Willingness to learn
Nursing constantly evolves as new technologies and processes continue to emerge. For nurses to adapt to these changes and remain effective, they must be willing to learn and grow, especially on the job. Part of this growth is being able to improve their current level of education and training.
One way of doing this is to take a hybrid ABSN program at the University of Indianapolis. This course will help nurses expand their knowledge of healthcare and keep pace with the ongoing changes in the industry. The advantage of a hybrid nursing program is its flexibility, allowing nurses to fit learning into their busy schedules without compromising their work performance.
While some circumstances necessitate attending live discussions and presentations, most components of an online nursing degree are flexible. Doing this allows you to complete the coursework at your desired pace and make the most of your degree.
Attention to detail
Another critical skill that nurses should possess is excellent attention to detail. As nurses are in charge of patient care, they must be meticulous and pay attention to information to prevent costly medical errors and lawsuits from occurring.
A nurse must be detail-oriented, ensuring that orders are followed precisely, adequate medicine dosages are administered, and accurate records are registered – even in the busiest setting. Nurses frequently have to deal with immense pressure as they balance receiving orders from doctors and applying their skills to provide high-quality patient care.
Nurses are on the frontlines of care as they spend much more time with patients than doctors. In other words, nurses will frequently be the first to notice changes in a situation that could endanger the patient’s life. Therefore, nurses must remain alert. By having excellent attention to detail, nurses can ensure that they don’t miss anything during the treatment process, while increasing the likelihood of better patient outcomes.
Becoming a successful nurse
There are many ways to become a successful nurse. Start your journey toward becoming one by enrolling on a program today.