Becoming a nurse is both gratifying and extremely rewarding. Helping someone in their time of need requires a nurse to have a certain level of skills. Here are some basic skills that every nurse just needs to have.
The ability to make quick decisions in a timely and calm manner. Depending on the situation, sometimes the patient can be in a dire situation and there’s no time to call a doctor. A decision must be made on the spot without consulting anyone else. For this reason, one must be able to stay calm and be able to think clearly, especially in times of chaos. It doesn’t always have to be a life and death situation; it can sometimes be just simply making it more comfortable for the patient, which can require the correct thought process and unique understanding of this particular situation.
Another skill required is to be tech savvy. So many patients are now buying their medical supplies online and need their nurse to be able to do it for them. A nurse may need to order incontinence supplies, wound care supplies, or even a bariatric commode. It sometimes requires them to shop around and find the correct item that is both right for the patient as well as cost effective. This is also required as many healthcare facilities are now becoming extremely reliant on technology. Lots of times there is training that comes along with these systems, however, being tech-savvy can make this process all that much easier.
Clear communication is key. Lots of times patients and their family members can be very confused as to what is going on. Being able to clearly explain the situation is critical. It also, keeps a level of calmness when the patient understands he or she’s situation and is able to talk about it with their nurse who is caring for them.