Qualities of a good nurse

1 – Caring and compassion

Many people assume that nurses enter the field because compassion is one of their
leading qualities — but this nursing characteristic isn’t necessarily a given. Many
who choose nursing prioritize the job security of nursing or see it as a career
starting point while failing to consider whether they have the compassion needed
to become a good nurse.

But as a nursing quality, compassion makes all the difference to patients. Nurses
who show they truly care about their patients — and how well they perform their
jobs — have a greater likelihood of advancing, making compassion a key indicator
for nurse success.

2 – Excellent communication skills

Strong communication skills are an important nurse characteristic. Good nurses

rely on the ability to effectively communicate with other nurses, physicians, and
clinicians in other units and with patients and their families.

Without the ability to interpret and accurately convey critical information, medical
errors are more likely to occur, patients may feel neglected or misinformed, and an
entire unit could feel the impact. By prioritizing great communication skills,
nurses provide safer care, which in turn benefits their patients, their units, and the
entire hospital or health system — not to mention their own long-term careers.

3 – Empathy

With nurses caring for perhaps thousands of patients during their careers, it can be
all too easy to become desensitized or forget what it was like to be a nonclinical
person. A good nurse is one who shows empathy for every patient, making a true
effort to put themselves in their patients’ shoes.

By practicing empathy, nurses are more likely to treat their patients as individuals,
focusing on a person-centered care approach rather than strictly following routines
and guidelines. When patients are fortunate enough to encounter this characteristic
in a good nurse, it makes for a far better care experience and healing journey.

4 – Organization and attention to detail

Nurses are undoubtedly under immense pressure as they balance following orders
from physicians with using their own knowledge, skills, and critical judgement to
provide the highest quality patient care. Add to this caring for multiple patients
simultaneously, and the possibility of making an error can seem almost inevitable.

A good nurse knows the stakes are high and that unlike most other industries,
they’re responsible for peoples’ well-being and — more importantly — their lives.
Being organized, accurate, and attentive to details are nursing traits that determine
how successful they’ll be in their role.

5 – Problem-solving skills

While clinical training occurs throughout a nurse’s education, on-the-job training

is the most effective way to develop a nurse’s problem-solving skills. Years of
experience help hone this skill, but good nurses work to improve their problem-
solving skills.

Problem-solving skills are essential to nursing, as nurses generally have the most
one-on-one time with patients and are often responsible for making decisions
about issues that arise with their care. Even seemingly small decisions can
proactively improve outcomes — or conversely, cause major adverse impacts if
incorrectly made.

6 – Stamina and endurance

The physical demand on nurses is perhaps one of the most underestimated aspects
of their role. In one shift, a nurse lifts an average of 1.8 tons (roughly the weight
of a hippo) by lifting and adjusting patients. Additionally, studies have found that
nurses walk an average of four to five miles per shift.

In an average 12-hour shift, nurses exercise a unique balance of physical and

emotional stamina that few other occupations encounter. This extremely important
quality impacts nurses, their coworkers, and of course, patients. Having sufficient
stamina and staying power are important qualities of a great nurse.

7 – Sense of humor and resilience

To derive satisfaction from such a mentally and physically exhausting role, nurses
who can find time for a laugh are typically more successful. Because nurses
encounter varying degrees of high-stress situations, taking the opportunity to enjoy
the downtime and incorporate a lighthearted attitude can provide a sense of stress
relief and ensure their well-being over the long term.
Having a good sense of humor also helps spread positivity to other nurses,
patients, and their families. A good sense of humor is not only a characteristic of a
nurse leader but reminds patients and their families that nurses are people too and
ultimately increases their trust and openness to sharing feedback and concerns.

8 – Commitment to patient advocacy

The concept of advocacy is a core tenet of health care, from the Hippocratic oath
to nearly every hospital’s mission statement in one phrasing or another — keep
patients safe and deliver the highest quality of care. In other words, be an advocate
for patients, with special attention to their overall safety.

As one of the leading qualities of a nurse, patient advocacy is a mindset that a

good nurse must practice every day with every patient, throughout every stage of
the care continuum. Many patients enter a hospital or healthcare setting feeling
disoriented, confused, and unable to advocate for their own safety. A nurse who
empowers patients through education and engagement will help them get the best
care.

9 – Willingness to learn and grow

With constant technological improvements and breakthroughs in science, the

healthcare industry and its workers must successfully adapt. Nurses’ willingness to
develop themselves — and put their new knowledge into practice — is one of the
leading traits of a good nurse.

Improvements in educational approaches such as interprofessional training and

personalized learning can help foster successful learning environments, but a good
nurse must possess flexibility and a willingness to learn for them to be truly
beneficial. This important skill applies to nurses of all ages, throughout every
stage of their career — from recent graduates to the highly experienced.

10 – Strong critical thinking

While having the willingness to learn is an important skill, putting that knowledge
into successful practice requires the ability to think critically — especially in high-
stress situations. A nurse with high-functioning critical thinking has one of the
most important characteristics of a professional nurse.

After years of education and training, the ability to apply clinical guidelines and
best practices on the floor depends on a nurse’s capacity for critical thinking,
which is quickly noticed by leadership, other nurses, and ultimately, patients.
While this skill can improve over time, it may come more readily to some nurses
than others.

11 – Good time management

Balancing multiple patients, stressful care settings, and competing priorities is no

small feat during a 12-hour shift. Having effective time management is a key
personality trait for nursing, as is being able to concentrate on the most critical
issues first — and not necessarily the most demanding patient or family.

Setting time aside for self-care is also a crucial component of time management.
Neglecting to take a quick break or regroup during an especially intense shift
won’t benefit anyone involved in the care process.

12 – Integrity and leadership

While most nurses approach their careers with patient care in mind, some will
eventually transition into leadership roles. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for a
promotion to happen without adequate training, development opportunities, or
sufficient mentoring and support to achieve the level of professionalism and ethics
that good leadership requires.

The ability to lead is a quality that continues to become more valuable in nursing
and is not limited to individuals who are in leadership roles. Exercising leadership
skills in any role or level shows that a nurse can serve as a model of integrity and
effectiveness for others. Being a mentor in any capacity helps others become
better nurses and benefits both the organization and the nursing profession itself.

13 – Experience

It’s important to note that as veteran nurses leave the healthcare field and begin
retirement, they’re taking with them years of experience and knowledge that
cannot be quickly replaced. As nursing leaders work to bring in new nurses,
available candidates are predominantly new graduate nurses — a stark contrast to
their predecessors in terms of experience and the many patient care skills and
knowledge that can only come with time and practice.

By engaging with new nurses to instill an expectation of continuous learning —

while creating a positive environment for them to learn from experienced nurses
without fear of judgment — nursing leaders can set new nurses up for success,
benefiting their careers, the organization, and most importantly — their patients.

14 – Cultural sensitivity and awareness

With today’s diverse patient populations, every nurse needs to understand the
importance of being culturally inclusive of others. Communication, customs, and
expectations for medical treatment may vary depending on patients’ cultural
backgrounds. A good nurse takes these factors into consideration when treating
patients to better understand their needs and provide culturally sensitive care.

Cultural awareness also factors in when working as part of a clinical team. Nurses
must work with a continuously changing staff of providers and clinicians who may
have different communication or work styles. Being prepared for diversity in
healthcare settings ensures that a nurse can work productively with everyone and
contribute to a workplace that fosters teamwork, collaboration, and a sense of
belonging for all.

Do you have what it takes to be a great nurse?

Prospective nurses should consider these essential characteristics and where they
fall in terms of demonstrating each skill or trait. Those who exemplify most of
these traits or have the potential and desire to develop them should do well as a
nurse.

Everyone must start somewhere, and the main driver of success is a passion to get
there. Motivation is perhaps the strongest force to propel a future successful nurse
to take the necessary steps to make their career aspirations a reality.