Today is our topic of discussion is Essential Qualities of a Nurse .
Essential Qualities of a Nurse
Devotion is the most important quality of any person who wishes to take up nursing as a profession and it should be treated with great care and consideration. Impassiveness is a quality much needed so that the nurse is calm and serene even under pressure of work and during emergency.
Honesty:
A nurse’s reliability and integrity must never be questionable. Avoid exaggeration and confess mistakes frankly. So that they may be rectified immediately. Always think of the patients’ safety first rather than your possible punishment. Honesty is the most important quality on which others qualities depend.
Loyalty:
This quality is practiced towards the school, fellow nurses, senior officers, patients-in fact, everybody and everything within the hospital. Hospital matters should not be discussed outside. The patients’ affairs should be treated with strict confidence. Disloyalty destroys the entire edifice of the hospital service, and the profession itself. Loyalty builds a nursing service of the highest quality .
Discipline and obedience:
A nurse must understand the necessity of self-discipline, so that she trains herself to carry out vital orders immediately and accurately without question. At no time she should argue with the staff in authority. A calm, well poised nurse, who has her own emotions under control, inspires confidence and respect. A nurse should never refuse to carry out a legitimate order issued by a senior staff. If there is any point of argument it can be taken later. up
Courtesy:
This is a simple form of consideration of others which is practiced towards patients and their relatives. senior officers and fellow nurses. It does not require any extra time, and is much appreciated by all.
Dignity:
To be dignified and to maintain a professional attitude towards each other and towards patients is essential. Peals of laughter, loud and immature conversation, anger and argumentation lower a nurse’s dignity.
Personal appearance:
This is of major importance. Anurse, who appears healthy, neat, well groomed and meticulous about her personal hygiene, immediately creates a favorable impression on patients and colleagues alike. Jewellery, excessive cosmetics, improper shoes, worn out, poorly fitting or soiled uniforms completely ruin the personal appearance.
Tact, sympathy, sense of humour and patience:
These are all attributes which a nurse needs to develop, along with tolerance and breadth of outlook. All these help her enormously in dealing with her patients and her fellow nurses.
Optimistic outlook:
Without forcing cheerfulness, a nurse may still exude an aura of security and contentment by looking and acting as though she enjoys doing her work, and by maintaining genuine interest in the patient and his welfare. A quick warm smile may be more therapeutic than a dose of medicine.
Observation and adaptability:
If these do not come naturally, a nurse may consciously develop these qualities: It is important to be observant of the small things which add to a patient’s comfort or those things which may indicate a change of condition. A sharp eye to see out-of-order or out-of-place equipment, lack of cleanliness in the ward, is the quality which makes a responsible nurse.
Gentleness and quietness:
Develop a gentleness of touch and quietness in handling the patient and equipment, with quick but smooth movements. These increase the patient’s comfort and confidence.
Economy:
This is the characteristic of an ideal nurse. Equipment and supplies, water and electricity which the nurse controls are valuable material. These must be preserved carefully as if they were personal property not only for the sake of the patients and the hospital, but also for our country.
Sense of responsibility:
The most difficult characteristics to acquire is a sense of responsibility. This is the quality which produces reliable and efficient leaders. The nursing profession in India today is in great need of responsible leaders. But still more important are the thousands of nurses each of whom in her own place understand and shoulders her share of responsibility.
Adaptability:
To adapt one to existing conditions and living with others counts for much in making of a good nurse.
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