4 Essential Skills That Will Make You The Best Nurse

Most nurses have excellent clinical skills that they acquired through their education as well as on-the-job training. He or she is knowledgeable about various disease processes and can quote medication side effects verbatim. Soft skills, on the other hand, are typical traits that cannot be taught. Soft skills are innate components of a person's personality and core values; while some people are born with these characteristics, others can develop and master them over time.

The Value Of Soft Skills 

Soft skills influence not only the patient-nurse relationship but also the nurse's relationships with other interdisciplinary team members and the communities in which she works. As a result, it is critical for nurses to develop soft skills that will improve teamwork and collaboration, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Soft skills are abilities that characterize interpersonal relationships or how you approach life and work.

Top 4 Soft Skills That Help Nurses At Work

There are many soft skills that nurses can develop to be great, and the four listed below are the top four!

1. Good Communication

Communication begins even before you speak. The Interpersonal Relations Theory of Peplau focuses on the nurse-patient relationship and the therapeutic process that occurs.

The three phases of this theory contribute to the definition of that relationship and the achievement of a common goal:

• The orientation phase is the first phase. The patient has been introduced to treatment and is eager to ask questions and learn more. This stage aids the patient in developing trust. It is here that the nurse's and his or her healthcare team's first impressions are formed.

• Phase of Identification/Working: The patient and nurse begin to collaborate. It takes up the vast majority of the time nurses spend with their patients. This is the time when nurses' communication skills are put to the test. The patient takes an active role in his or her treatment. The nurse must be able to actively listen to the patient. This is the time for the nurse to establish a trusting rapport and persuade the patient that he or she is competent and knowledgeable. This is the phase of instruction.

• Resolution Phase: During this phase, the nurse can assess the effectiveness of his or her communication skills. The resolution phase's success is determined by how well patients and nurses communicated during the orientation and working phases. The patient's needs were met as a result of effective communication.

Of course, one way to decipher a patient's feelings is to listen to and understand their verbal cues; another effective method is to use nonverbal cues such as maintaining eye contact.

• Maintaining eye contact communicates to your patient that you are sincere.

• It communicates to your patient that you value them and are making room for them.

• You are acknowledging the presence of another person.

• It demonstrates to your patients that you are interested in what they have to say.

It is also necessary to communicate in writing. Make certain that your written communication is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Fill in the blanks with complete sentences that are grammatically correct. Use layman's terms when communicating with a patient. Only use universally accepted abbreviations and terminology.

2. Empathy Training

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is referred to as empathy. As healthcare organizations become more reliant on technology, it is critical to recognize that no amount of technology can replace an empathetic nurse.

By understanding what the patient is going through, and empathetic nurse can connect with the patient. They can recognize their patient's emotional states, listen to them, and engage the patient in open, unbiased communication. Empathetic nurses can give their patients the confidence to express their feelings, fears, and concerns about their healthcare.

3. Time management and organization

These two abilities complement one another. Having organizational skills demonstrates your ability to function effectively at work. Nurses must learn time management skills in order to manage their daily responsibilities while maintaining a professional demeanor with patients, family members, and colleagues. It is critical to be able to prioritize your workload and multitask effectively. Not to mention any last-minute assignments or schedule changes. As nurses, we must be able to quickly adapt, reprioritize, organize, and manage changes. Having excellent organizational and time management skills will help to alleviate these burdens.

4. Establishing contacts

Collaboration and an interdisciplinary approach are essential in the healthcare industry. Developing networking skills and the ability to work in groups and contribute seamlessly is beneficial for career advancement and improves patient care. Honing your networking skills will benefit you not only for the sake of your patients but also for the sake of your professional career. The nursing profession is a small one. You never know when you'll apply for a new job and find out that the hiring manager is a former coworker. Networking can assist nurses in gaining the fundamental knowledge required to take the next step in their careers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional networking accounts for more than 70% of all job searches.

Identify, comprehend, and integrate some soft skills into your knowledge. Using some of these can help you relieve stress, boost your confidence, and improve your overall nursing career. What soft skills do you rely on?

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