High-quality nursing practice requires today’s nursing professionals to not only have extensive knowledge and skills but also personal characteristics of compassion, empathy and a desire to heal. In addition, the modern health system calls for nurses to be leaders, critical thinkers and effective communicators who can collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
Nurses must be willing to continually learn, grow and adapt to change. The accelerated, online RN to BSN program from The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) fosters these sought-after skills and gives nurses the ability to thrive in a more complex health system.
Qualities That Define a Great Nurse
Great nurses are steeped in the science of nursing practice, and they can understand a situation from a patient’s perspective. In the ever-evolving healthcare system, the following are other important qualities to have as a nurse:
Leadership and Management
According to Wolters Kluwer, nurses are key to a better-integrated, patient-centered healthcare system. They are necessary in an assortment of roles such as advising on healthcare policy, solving problems and utilizing and building technology. These roles require an aptitude to lead and manage.
Effective Communication
Good communication is crucial to patient care, and it includes an aptitude for listening as well as speaking. New nursing roles require effective dialog with several stakeholders, including other healthcare professionals, community leaders, legislators and diverse patient populations.
Critical Thinking
NursingProcess.org suggests critical thinking — prioritizing and making decisions — is at the center of good nursing. For instance, the American Nurses Association calls for nurses who can identify areas of waste, implement improvement plans and make necessary adjustments to achieve these goals. Understanding the different components as they relate to the bigger picture is important for success in this area.
Collaboration
Nurses must act as full partners with physicians and other healthcare providers. In the hospital environment, nurses are moving beyond delivering bedside care. They are accepting roles involving education, integrating medical technology and serving on advisory committees. These newer roles require collaboration with other stakeholders.
How Nurses Can Continue to Learn and Grow
Standard nursing recommendations are that nurses should pursue additional education and training. In a rapidly changing healthcare system, it is essential to continually learn, grow and adapt. There are several options for keeping up with developments in the field:
Pursue Higher Education
Completing an RN to BSN program is a pivotal first step in developing the enhanced qualities that nurses need. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, BSN-prepared nurses often become leaders and assume roles with more responsibility. A BSN can lead to learning opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible, and it prepares nurses for further study, such as a graduate degree.
Keep up With Current Nursing Literature
Reading key nursing books and journals is a good way to keep up with recent developments. Ask colleagues, your instructors and other students for their recommendations.
Donate Time
Volunteering exposes you to new situations and lets you test-drive new skills. The Leadership Center at The University of Texas at Arlington maintains a database of volunteer opportunities for its students.
Join Professional Organizations
Professional nursing organizations can be great resources for pertinent news, continuing education courses and networking with other nursing professionals. This can also lead to effective mentorship opportunities. A quick web search can provide a comprehensive list of professional nursing associations.
Moving Forward
To develop and maintain strong skills in critical-thinking, leadership and effective communication and collaboration, nurses must continue to learn, grow and adapt. Completing an RN to BSN degree online is an excellent way to begin reaching this goal.
Learn about The UTA’s online RN to BSN program.
