What kind of nurse should I be? (2023)

FAQs

How do you answer what makes you a good nurse? ›

Patience, empathy, and a strong desire to help others are essential qualities for any successful nurse. In addition, good communication skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure are also key in this demanding profession.

Compassionate

One of the most important qualities of a good nurse is compassion. In their career, nurses will see patients suffer. Beyond simply offering a solution, they must be able to express compassion for patients and their families. This allows them to form meaningful relationships with their patients.

Kindness, fairness, caring, trustworthiness, emotional stability, empathy, and compassion are aspects of your personality that serve you well as a nurse. You exhibit strong communication skills. You communicate well with patients and colleagues — sometimes at their worst life moments.

Patient Care

Directly caring for patients is the biggest part of nursing, and an excellent potential aspect of your answer to the question of “why” you want to be a nurse. If you love working with patients, it could be an ideal entry into your answer to this question. “Human connection has always been important to me.

For nursing applicants, specifically, our experts said they're typically looking for strengths like flexibility, a team player, extremely organized, multitasking, leadership abilities, creative problem-solving, an excellent communicator, or curiosity about learning new things.

The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice', which was first established by NHS England Chief Nursing Officer, Jane Cummings, in December 2017.

Nursing is a profession rooted in professional ethics and ethical values, and nursing performance is based on such values. Core values of nursing include altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, honesty and social justice [3].

Among the top qualities of a nurse, characteristics like empathy, flexibility, and time management stand out as elements that make performing duties and connecting with patients much easier. Paired with a quality nursing education, you will be prepared to make a difference in patients' lives.

What is the most important core value in nursing? ›

One of the most important values of nursing is to respect the dignity of their patients. This means treating patients with kindness and thoughtfulness as you provide care, and remembering to consider their emotions about the situation as you talk with them, care for them and educate them about their health.

When all is said and done, a positive attitude goes a very long way to helping patients. Nurses who genuinely care about their patients – and show that concern openly – will better be able to reach them on a personal level. Emotional support is just as needed as medical intervention in a lot of cases.

New nurses should offer examples of their great work ethic, Berger said. Seasoned nurses can highlight their enthusiasm, experience and ability to immediately contribute, Berger added. They also can focus on their dedication to staying current and eagerness to embrace change.

2. Why do we need the 6 Cs? The hiring panel may ask you about the six core values to assess your knowledge. The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice'.

The hardest part about answering why you want to be a nurse is that you need to be honest, without sounding trite. “I just want to help people” is a phrase that has been heard far too often in nurse job interviews.

“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”

Reflect on your weaknesses

Spending too much time on paperwork. Paying too much attention to detail. Attempting to complete too many tasks at once. A lack of clinical experience, which may apply to recent graduates or new nurses.

So, ask yourself how caring are you of other individuals and their needs. In order to be a good nurse, you have to deeply care about people. If you are one of those types of people who just worry about themselves and do not really concentrate on how to help others, then nursing really is not for you.

Compassion, described by one nurse as “where every patient is treated as you'd want your own mother cared for.” Dedication to Nursing, which can mean “serving without seeking accolades” and ”the inner yearning to want to make a difference in the quality of life for another human being.”

What are the Big Five personality strength? ›

The Big Five personality traits are broad domains/dimensions of personality and include the following traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (under the acronym, OCEAN).

Type Five in Brief

Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs.

The key to being a successful nurse is communication.

Communication skills are one of the most important requirements of a nurse's job—both following directions and communicating with patients and families. Patients who are sick or suffering often are not in a position of strength to speak up for themselves.

According to Roach (1993), who developed the Five Cs (Compassion, Competence, Confidence, Conscience and Commitment), knowledge, skills and experience make caring unique.

It's structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust.

As a nurse, you can make a real difference in someone's life. You can offer hope to people, sometimes during the worst time of their life. Nurses often counsel patients and families after a devastating diagnosis, celebrate with them when they receive good news, and become trusted confidantes.

Purpose, aims and structure of the Code: Principle 1: Respect for the dignity of the person. Principle 2: Professional responsibility and accountability. Principle 3: Quality of practice.

What are 3 skills you need to be a nurse? ›

Skills needed to be a nurse are important in various health care settings, from acute care to emergency rooms. Despite the field's diverse nature, all nursing specialties are bound by leadership, communication, problem-solving, analytical and teamwork skills.

"Save one life, you're a hero. Save a hundred lives, you're a nurse."

"My beliefs about nursing and the philosophy I try to live by include acknowledging that all patient care should be based on respect for the value and dignity of the patient as an individual with rights. I desire to have a strong work ethic and demonstrate genuine compassion for those entrusted to my care."

Ethical behavior also involves accountability, responsibility, confidentiality, truthfulness, fidelity, and justice. Nurses who clarify their values are enhanced in their ability to practice ethically. Legal parameters of nursing are defined by statutory, regulatory, and common law.

The most stressful nursing jobs include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. In these roles, nurses work in an intense environment with high stakes.

Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

For someone who is looking for more schooling, and a great career to consistently make six figures, this is one to consider.

Good nurse needs right attitude, empathy, and also a strong mind, to manage to handle and process all they see in the job. But I believe to have all these things in me, plus my extensive experience. Perhaps it makes from me the best candidate for the job. You should hire me because of my attitude to this work.

Your skills and qualifications. If you can prove that you've got all the skills that the company is looking for in a candidate, you'll have effectively answered the question. Your passion and motivation. You can highlight how good of a company fit you'd be and how much you love working in your field or industry.

Nurses take a person's whole range of needs into account, which helps build personal connections, opportunities for closer observation, and, when possible, chances to boost their spirits. The nursing role complements other elements of patient care and can ensure individuals receive the best care possible.

What three words best describe you? ›

New nurses should offer examples of their great work ethic, Berger said. Seasoned nurses can highlight their enthusiasm, experience and ability to immediately contribute, Berger added. They also can focus on their dedication to staying current and eagerness to embrace change.

In general, your strengths should be skills that can be supported through experience. For example, if you list communication as a strength, you may want to recall a situation in which you used communication to reach a goal or resolve a problem.

How to answer "What makes you unique?" Mention skills listed in the job description. Provide examples from your background. Reference prior accomplishments or results from past roles.

Why should we hire you? Make your lack of experience work in your favour. Use this as a strength and tell the panel you are fresh, enthusiastic, hungry and ready to get started! You want the panel to hire you because of your passion for this job and how much you are attracted to their company.

I am ambitious and driven.

I thrive on challenge and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive towards. I am not comfortable with settling, and I am always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness. In my previous role, I was promoted three times in less than two years.”

Example: "I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenges and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. I'm not comfortable with settling, and I'm always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness.