10 Skills Nursing Students Must Have to Succeed as a Nurse

10 Skills Nursing Students Must Have to Succeed as a Nurse

by | Jan 16, 2023 | Nursing Student

10 Skills Nursing Students Must Have to Succeed as a Nurse

So, you chose to be a nurse? Excellent choice! But do you have the skills to succeed in nursing school? To be successful, you must have innate qualities and skills to help you through studying and succeed as a nurse in the future.

Here’s what you need to have.

 

1. You must have confidence. 

Being a nurse requires you to meet and communicate with people from all walks of life. If you are not confident with yourself or have the confidence to talk to patients, how can you provide quality care? Not only that, but you will make decisions for your patient’s care and needs.. 

Confidence is not only about being able to carry yourself but also about being optimistic, assertive, and independent. It is about your enthusiasm for your work and emotional maturity to help you do your job at a higher level.

 

2. You must have communication skills.

Communication is the number one skill you must have as a nurse. You will always be talking to people in the hospital. Proper communication also helps in giving quality care to patients.

Remember that you will also be talking to doctors and other medical professionals. Good communication skills also foster meaningful workplace relationships with your peers. It will also aid you and your group in studying for nursing school. 

 

3. You must have leadership skills.

As a future nurse, one of your roles is to handle patients and families looking to you for guidance and updates. You will also work with your fellow nurses that may require your leadership.

You must know how to manage your time, especially when you have projects, emergencies, and conflicts in school or your future job. You have to be able to advocate for others as well as advocating for yourself. 

 

4. You must have critical thinking skills.

As a student nurse, you will constantly face situations that require you to observe, think critically, and make the right decisions. You must also remember that nursing students are often exposed to high-stressed situations like demonstrating procedures at school. 

You may have the skills to do the procedure, but the ability to think and make a decision in high-stressed situations quickly will bring you great success. Thus having critical thinking skills are vital.

 

5. You have a passion for nursing.

Besides your critical thinking and leadership skills, you must also have a passion for nursing. There has to be a passion for helping others. Otherwise, you won’t be happy with your career. 

As a student nurse, you’ll be constantly challenged to learn new skills. You will also study for exams. And if you are truly ready to become a nurse, your hard work and passion for this profession will be worth it. 

 

6. You have the drive to learn.

The learning is still ongoing once you have earned your degree. As you prepare for your job and even as a nurse, your learning does not end. You will constantly explore, develop your critical thinking skills, and question things you encounter at work. 

The healthcare field is always changing, just like a nurse’s role evolves. You must be ready, and having the desire to learn and adapt is essential. Whether a student nurse or a professional nurse, you’ll always have something to discover and learn about. 

 

7. You must have teamwork skills.

As a student nurse, you’ll meet different people from different places and with whom you’ll study. There will be situations where you will work together in class or hospital exposures. Without cooperation, you will fail nursing school. Understand that nursing and nursing school are collaborative fields. 

Working together as a team to accomplish goals is essential. You will also need this skill to succeed as a nurse and as you work with doctors, health aids, lab techs, and other healthcare team members. 

 

8. You know how to handle high-stress situations.

Nursing school can become stressful, especially in the months leading to your graduation. You will be dealing with a lot of exams, papers, projects, and a whole lot of requirements to pass and graduate. 

Not only that but as you become a professional nurse, you will also be constantly on the go and face stressful situations. You will deal with patients, their families, as well as other members of the healthcare team. 

When your patient is in critical condition, that stressful time is when you are needed the most. Being able to manage these situations and keep a clear head will help you become a great student nurse and future nurse. 

 

9. You must have the skills to ask for constructive criticism and feedback.

As a student nurse, you are there to learn everything in your school’s textbooks. You’ll probably feel clueless when you start, so be ready to seek guidance. Ask questions and accept constructive criticism from your mentors or instructors.

Remember, everyone, has been in your shoes, but it’s time you filled theirs. Seeking humility and accepting advice will help you become the best nurse you can be. 

 

10. You must be an advocate for patients.

As a nurse, you will be your patient’s advocate. Learning this skill will help you better assist a patient and become the person to debrief team members or interpret tests.

You’ll also explain procedures and instructions for patients and families. All of these are vital as you become a patient advocate. 

 

Your Takeaway

Nursing is a wonderful profession, and if you want to succeed as a nurse, you must train yourself to be the best while still in nursing school. And the more you adapt to that mindset, the easier it will be for you to handle any difficulties you’ll encounter in this job.

Start now; you’ll be glad that you did! 

Looking for more student resources? Check out these helpful links!

Miscommunication Among Nurses and How to Avoid It

Miscommunication Among Nurses and How to Avoid It

by | Dec 24, 2022 | Nursing

Miscommunication Among Nurses and How to Avoid It

Nurses are among the essential workers in the healthcare world, especially now that we have a pandemic. However, miscommunication among nurses is an issue that happens quite often.

How can this be avoided? What causes miscommunication among nurses? 

 

How Can Miscommunication Among Nurses Be Avoided?

There are a couple of ways that nurses can avoid miscommunication. Keep in mind that being able to relay the correct information about their patients can make a difference in nursing care.

As a nurse, you must provide accurate data regarding their condition so proper nursing can be given. Here’s how you can do that:

 

1. Make eye contact when endorsing patients.

There is a sense of relief whenever the shift is over, especially if it has been toxic since you first clocked in. While it is exciting to exit the nurse’s station once your shift ends, make proper endorsements first.

The best way to ensure no miscommunication is to make eye contact with the next nurse on duty when endorsing the patient’s chart. 

Take the time to explain everything, from the procedures done to the patient, medications given, the diagnosis (if you have to), and even the physician/s who came to check in with them.

Making eye contact gives you a chance to scan for any uncertainty in their face or if they understood what was said to them. It is also the best way to engage someone in a conversation and ensure they listen to what you say. 

 

2. Use bedside nursing boards.

Bedside nursing boards are also commonly known as bed-census boards. These can help you with an open line of communication among nurses in the team/building, the patient’s families, and you as health care providers.

The boards help with the patient’s condition and communicate with their families and the rest of the hospital staff. Understand that there are tons of healthcare providers in the hospital working on patients.

Failing to communicate properly can lead to negative consequences.

Bedside boards are essential in providing reports to the next nurse on duty. It can help them understand what happened during your shift and fill them in on the patient’s history if this is their first time handling them.

Bed census boards also prove to the patient’s families that proper care is given to their loved ones. 

 

3. Take time to talk to your patients.

Nurses are often busy on each shift, and, unsurprisingly, they cannot give their patients’ full attention. However, taking the time to check on your patients, listen to their concerns, and show that you can help are enough to put them at ease. It is also a good nursing quality to have. 

Allowing a few minutes of one-on-one conversation with your patients can be rewarding. It is easier to see how they are improving and establish a sense of trust as their nurse. Although you may not do this daily, it is best to create a routine and stick to it. 

 

How Can Nurses Improve Their Communication Skills?

Improving communication among nurses is possible. To do this, nurses like you practice patience and become better listeners. When you listen, you don’t offer one ear but both. Keep in mind that you are working with other nurses who are also busy. Listening to each other is crucial to providing better services to patients. 
 
You can also avoid communication conflict when you practice active listening. Active listening is repeating the key points of the conversation to the speaker. So, make it a habit to listen to your coworkers and improve your listening skills. 
 
Another way to avoid miscommunication among nurses is not to interrupt the speaker. This could be helpful during endorsements at the end of the shift. Allow the person to finish talking first before asking questions.
 
Keep in mind that even the slightest cues can determine the condition of patients. Resist the urge to ask questions whenever someone is talking. 
 
As a nurse, you must also learn to maintain a positive attitude. Remember, happiness is contagious! Your positive outlook can also affect your coworkers and even your patients.
 
When things get a little serious, be sure to keep your emotions in check. Your nurse training taught you to remain professional and courteous during conversations. No matter how angry or upset you are, keep it cool.
 
Be aware that your emotions can affect others and your ability to communicate at work. When you do so, miscommunication among nurses will not happen.

 

 

In Closing

Communication is an essential part of patient care, and when this is done accordingly,

it is nurses can work together effectively. If you feel like you or your coworkers are missing out on proper communication, take the step to address this issue.

It will surely help your team and other hospital staff improve as you provide nursing care to your patients. 

 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

EP. 172: 5 Skills for Better Nursing Communication

EP. 172: 5 Skills for Better Nursing Communication

by | Jul 15, 2022 | Podcast

5 Skills for Better Nursing Communication

Better nursing communication is essential in patient care, but it is also as important when communicating with colleagues and other healthcare professionals.

What makes an effective way of communication? And what can you improve to be better at communicating? Here are five skills that you must learn. 

Better Nursing Communication is a Must

Communication with friends, family, and coworkers is crucial for success. It gets your message across to others and allows you to understand what others need and want.

Without proper communication, personal progression is impossible. It’s just as necessary for the speaker to get the message across as it is for the listener to understand. 

1. Non-Verbal Communication

Communication begins with nonverbal cues. How often have you looked at someone and known they were open to a conversation, or even that time someone seemed that they didn’t want to be bothered. The nonverbal cues are the first things we notice. 

Nonverbal communication is used throughout a conversation; think about:

  • Eye contact
  • Tone
  • Posture
  • Body language
  • Facial expression 

 

2. Active Listening

Listen to understand, not just to respond. Really think about that because often, when someone is talking, we are already thinking of a way to respond. This leads to missing the whole picture or the other person not feeling understood.

It’s good to repeat a portion of what the person is saying to ensure that the intent is clear and that there are no misunderstandings.

Not everyone is coming to you for a solution sometimes. People just want to be heard and understood, not told what to do in response. 

3. Inspire Trust

Keep your word. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, no matter how small. People tend to remember you for your best actions and for how you didn’t follow through with what you said. 

Be honest; don’t say you can if you can’t do something.

An excellent way to build honest trust is to be open with your flaws. Share your mistakes and show your vulnerability. We are all human.

This is important when speaking with management. You might not see them every day, but it is essential not to sugarcoat things and really talk about how you feel about the unit environment.

4. Cultural awareness makes better nursing communication 

People come from all walks of life, even your coworkers and managers. Don’t judge them on what they do. Don’t be ignorant, be open. Instead of judging, ask to learn about the things you don’t understand. 

5. Verbal Communication 

Verbal communication is the most important. It’s the primary way we get our message across. 

Know what you are going to say and why. Is it going to be a serious conversation with a manager, or are you just catching up with a friend? 

The most important thing to remember is to just talk to people. Talk to your coworkers and make them more than just a body to help you with turns. Share with them things about you and your stories, and ask them questions.

Do you want to learn how to communicate better as a nurse? Click on the full episode here 👇

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Intro
01:12 Episode Introduction
02:43 I. Non-Verbal Communication
07:13 II. Active Listening
12:37 III. Inspire Trust
16:51 IV. Cultural Awareness
27:03 V. Verbal Communication
33:49 Wrapping up the episode

6 Study Habits of Successful Nursing Students

6 Study Habits of Successful Nursing Students

by | Mar 5, 2022 | Nursing Student

6 Study Habits of Successful Nursing Students

Becoming a successful nursing student does not happen overnight. It takes time, practice, and of course, dedication. To become a successful nursing student, you must have discipline and apply it every day.

 

Be a Successful Nursing Student

Do you want to graduate on time? Of course, you do! Do you aim to be one of the best nurses in the field? If you answered yes, you must start developing good habits early on in nursing school. 

Here are the habits of successful nursing students. 

 

Time management is the key.

One of the most crucial keys to passing nursing school with ease is to manage your time efficiently. Whether you are working on your BSN, MSN, or ADN, you must know how to balance time and make it work.

To do this, you must break your day into blocks and decide what activity or schoolwork fits where.. Know how much time you need for each activity so that you can manage your time more closely and allow for non-nursing-related things.

Your schoolwork takes most of your time; tests, exams, papers, assignments, reports, and clinical – all of these require a lot of dedicated time. The best action to take is to plan around your study hours and remove anything that could block or affect your focus and time to study. 

 

Study smarter, not harder. 

Some people can miss a lecture and still ace an exam, but in nursing school, you must focus on each topic and understand how it is applied in the healthcare setting. Keep in mind that nursing exams are not always A or B.

It may seem as if there are multiple correct answers but always think about the priority.  Plus, some questions can even be selected for all that apply. 

When studying, it is good to memorize content but also understand its function and learn how it pertains to a certain situation. Think of nursing as cause and effect. If one thing happens, how does it affect the rest? 

Now don’t get frustrated with the exams if you don’t always pass them. When you find yourself in a tough situation, always remember to change or add a study method to study more effectively. How can you do it? 

Keys to Effective Studying

For one, You have to know which subjects give you the hardest time or what areas take you the longest to learn. Don’t just study the same material for hours; instead, divide them. Let’s say you have allotted four hours of studying.

You can separate each hour into one subject. That way, you can study multiple areas, and it may help you understand how each concept affects another. It will be a lot easier for you to understand the topic. 

Avoid having distractions. Stay away from things that are not part of your studies. Turn off your phone for a few hours, or put it on silent mode. This way, you won’t get distracted by text or social media.

Review your notes before you go to class. See if you have retained anything from the last lecture. Try practice tests too. This will help sharpen your test-taking skills and help you remember questions when you take the actual exam. 

Lastly, give yourself enough time to study. As a student, you must learn how to estimate the time it takes to understand a topic, finish a report, or complete an assignment. It will also help you open up room for some free time. 

 

Keep your focus.

Back in the day, social media and smartphones were not a thing, so they didn’t keep us distracted. When it’s time to study, you need to have your full attention on your notes and textbooks. Unfortunately, studying rarely comes without any distractions.

While technology is helpful in many ways, it is also a source of major distraction. It is so easy to get off-track and be distracted by a text or social media. Before you know it, you’ve spent 30 minutes on your phone. 

Turn your focus back to what you are doing. Eliminate distractions by organizing your space. Turn off your phone or tv when you are studying. When you stay focused, you can finish quicker and have more time to do other things you want to do. 

 

Join a study team.

Another good tip on how to study better is to join a group that you can learn with [1]. You can also find a study partner if you prefer a one-on-one study buddy. One advantage of studying with a group is listening to different perspectives while discussing a subject or topic. 

Learning how other people think and apply their knowledge helps you develop critical thinking and test-taking skills. Remember, critical thinking skills are developed in nursing school and are key to a nurse’s success.

It will help you when it comes to taking exams and answering different types of questions. Joining a study group or team can help you with a lot of your struggles. 

 

Develop a study strategy.

Be honest with yourself; do you prefer studying with others or by yourself? One of the good habits of a successful nursing student is to know not only how you like to study but also what time of the day you learn best.

Do you like staying up late? Or do you prefer to study early in the morning? The truth is there is no correct time to review; it is all about personal preferences! 

To be successful with your study habits, create a calendar to determine the hours of studying. If you do not plan your time, it’s easy to get sidetracked because the majority of things take longer than expected.

The best plan to have is to block out study time during your most productive hours. This way you are setting yourself up for success.

 

Reward yourself, as you should.

I’m not going to lie; nursing school is hard work. I have been there, and I know how it goes! So when you have done everything you needed, reward yourself [2]. Get ice cream or a froyo.

Buy those shoes you have been eyeing for a while – in short, you deserve a reward for studying long hours and for keeping yourself from distractions. Get into the habit of doing something nice for yourself after all that stress. You deserve it!

 

You Can Do It

Yes, nursing school is not an easy path, but if others made it, so can you! You can do it, you too can become a full-fledged nurse, but to be one of the best, you must start early.

Developing these habits of a successful nursing student will guide you through not only nursing school but through life. Start planning your way up to the top today; good luck!

Looking for more student resources? Check out these helpful links!

EP 144: What to do After You Graduate Nursing School

EP 144: What to do After You Graduate Nursing School

by | Dec 31, 2021 | Podcast

Things to Know After Nursing School

Life after you graduate nursing school seems a bit overwhelming, but with proper guidance and helpful tips, you can manage it too.

Where do you want to work? What are the key takeaways from nursing school? What do you need before you step into the unit? It can be tricky to find the right opportunity.

To ensure you are happy with your first decision, take your time and explore the market to learn about the types of opportunities that will be best for your career goals.

Understanding Different Opportunities

Finding a hospital to work in after you graduate from nursing school is often the main goal of many nursing graduates to start their careers.

A common misconception for new graduates is that hospitals are the only options available to them. 

Healthcare settings can include:

  • Home care
  • Long term care
  • Clinics

Other career opportunities (non-bedside): Legal Nurse Consultant, Hospice Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Occupational Nurse, Dialysis Nurse, Nurse Educator 

Research the facility you will be applying for to learn more about the role you’re applying for. Answer the following questions:

  • What are the facility’s mission, vision, and values? 
  • Do you know what the facility’s designation is? 
  • What population do they serve? 
  • Do you know if they have been awarded or recognized?

Different Units – What Unit Do You Want to Work On?

  1. How would you describe yourself? 
    • Lead the team?
    • Do you love to collab?
    • Do you work best alone?
  2. What does your ideal workday look like? 
    • Consistent, likes to plan ahead?
    • Something new every day to keep you on your toes?
    • A mix of this and that?
  3. Who is your ideal patient?
    • Elderly, acutely ill, new mom and infant, children?
  4. When it comes to patients, the best way you can help is?
    • Training and educating other nurses
    • Face-to-face interactions

When you land your first job after you graduate from nursing school, it might be your ideal unit.

You can use this opportunity as a stepping stone to advance internally up the specialty ladder.

For example, starting in Med/Surg, then working up to PCCU, and then ICU. Other managers and supervisors can notice you and help you cross-train to their unit. 

Utilizing your Network and Resources 

Since you can’t rely on years of professional experience to land your new gig, using your network to get your foot in the door is your next best option.

After you graduate nursing school, many nursing schools also have a network to help with different employment available for you before deciding on your first job. While doing clinical rotations, you can also inquire about opportunities. 

Build your support network early on, as they can offer advice, guidance, and job leads. You can start by getting all your classmates and professors’ email addresses. 

Job fairs are another great way to look for opportunities. At a nursing job fair, you can meet with dozens of prospective employers in a single day instead of sending out stacks of resumes and waiting weeks for a response.

If you’re unfamiliar with which facilities are hiring, you can consider major job boards such as Indeed, Linkedin, and Hired. 

Tips on using jobs board effectively:

  • Make sure your Linkedin profile and resume are congruent. 
    • Adding new responsibilities and new volunteer opportunities you’ve taken
  • Be attentive to the language you’re using in your profile resume
    • Mirror the language of job listings that interest you in your profile and resume/
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out directly
    • Most job boards won’t list direct information to employers but that doesn’t mean you can’t reach out with a follow-up email about your application. The human connection can be the deciding factor.

Clean Up your Social Media Account

Have appropriate profile photos on all accounts.

  • Edit the biographies, headings, and descriptions to reflect a professional manner.
  • Run a Google search on your first and last name. Make sure all photos are appropriate. 
  • Change your privacy settings to private if you do not want potential employers to view your social media profiles and photos. 

Preparing for Your Interviews

The purpose of the interview is to determine if they like you and whether you’re a good fit for their team. Nursing is a team effort.

They also want to see if you’re as good as you seem on paper and can help them reach their goals as an organization.

Tip: Treat the interview like a conversation where both candidate and employer have a shared goal of getting to know each other. 

You’ll be spending a lot of time at work, so make sure your core values align, and it’s an enjoyable work environment – not just tolerable. 

Prescreen phone interview for nurses – Usually the first step of the hiring process. The goal is to reduce the number of candidates and invite the best-fitting candidates for the next step. 

They’ll ask basic qualifying questions about:

  • Education
  • Employment status
  • Clinical experience
  • Goals

Tip: Know your availability, as the goal is to invite you for an in-person interview. Also, ask about the next steps, don’t get off the phone and wonder what’s next. 

The Interview 

This will be your first opportunity to meet the hiring manager or the unit. Ultimately, they are determining if they personally like you.

No one wants to work with a negative Nancy. This includes a number of things:

  • How they feel about you
  • How you’ll fit within their unit
  • Your level of enthusiasm
  • How your strengths can help them reach their goals

During this time, or maybe for the next interview, you will undergo a panel/peer interview which will include multiple people, usually from the unit, to help the hiring manager pick the best candidate.

We advise maintaining good eye contact with everyone, engaging in conversation with the entire group, sharing your personal stories, and smiling. 

Before the interview, make sure you understand yourself.

Your strengths and weaknesses, the experiences you’ve had in clinical settings. 

  1. What is your 5-year goal? 
  2. Teamwork: Talk about a conflict within your healthcare team. What was the conflict, and how did you handle it?
  3. Patient care: Tell me about a time when a patient’s family was dissatisfied with your care. How did you handle that situation? 
  4. Time management: Talk about a time you worked in a fast-paced setting. How do you prioritize tasks while maintaining excellent patient care?

Tip: Be a storyteller. Storytelling is powerful and memorable. Most importantly, it provides evidence to support the assertions made in your resume.

It gives the employer a glimpse at the type of nurse and human being you are.

What to Buy Before You Enter the Unit

  • Click pens
  • Penlight 
  • Nursing scissors
  • Good scrubs
  • Right shoes
  • Stethoscope

Giving End of Shift Report

An end-of-shift report is a detailed report of your patients and their overall care and medical status.

nd-of-shift reports include medical history, recent procedures, lab values, medications, head-to-toe assessment, pain management, and plan of care. 

Episode 115: Goes in-depth about the end of shift duties and gives a report

After you accept your position, remember that getting off orientation is not a race.

If you are hired with other new graduates, it is common to look at them and feel like you are competing in the race of who can be the best new grad nurse.

Who can take care of higher acuities quicker? Who will be let off orientation earlier? Your work culture can bolster this, especially if your manager starts making comments that make you feel like you’re behind. 

Tip: You must focus on your journey and fill in the gaps you need. It’s not about winning a race. 

Don’t forget about self-care days!

Treat yourself, take yourself out, get massages, and buy something nice.

Get those feel-good endorphins pumping. The Self-care culture is at an all-time high with talks about the pandemic and burnout.

Here are the things you need to know after nursing school. Click here for the full episode 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Introduction
0:57 Sponsor Ads
1:34 Cup of Nurses Introduction
3:51 Episode Introduction
6:39 Understanding different opportunities
11:35 What unit do you want to work on?
18:46 Utilizing your Network and Resources
23:29 Tips on using jobs board effectively
24:30 Clean up your own social media account
25:50 Preparing for your interviews
31:01 What to buy before you enter the unit
34:24 Giving end-of-shift report
37:01 Don’t forget about self-care days