Ten basic nursing skills that American nurses must possess

As nurses, we must master many skills to be qualified for this position, but in addition to these "hard skills", "soft skills" are also important. These skills are not tested through exams, but rather developed over time as we progress through our careers. Good "soft skills" are highly sought after in any workplace, not just the nursing profession. Those with good "soft skills" tend to be more successful in their careers.

1. Communication

Good communication skills are vital in nursing. Nurses work with a variety of people, from professionals like doctors and pharmacists to our patients. Nurses must be able to communicate effectively on many different levels.postgraduate nursing in asia Effective communication is critical to successful patient outcomes.

2. Compassion

As nurses, we must express empathy for our patients and their families, especially during times of illness, understand our patients' pre registration nursing masters circumstances and try to help them.

3. Conflict resolution

At some point in our nursing careers, we have to resolve conflicts. This conflict may be with colleagues or between the patient and family members. Regardless, one needs to have the ability to handle conflicts in the right way so that the outcome is positive for everyone involved.

4. Critical thinking

There are many long and broad definitions of critical thinking,entry level masters programme in nursing but it can be defined simply as “clear, rational, evidence-based logical thinking.”

In order to be a good critical thinker, have a good foundation of nursing knowledge to make informed decisions. This skill is important in all aspects of nursing, but is critical for advanced practice nurses (APRNs) and ICU nurses.

5. Reliability

Do every little thing at work and don't cause unnecessary trouble to other colleagues. Not only does it impact the way our colleagues view us, but it also impacts the quality and safety of patient care.

6. Subjectivity

Taking initiative means assessing the situation and taking action to solve the problem. Depending on the situation, taking initiative may lead to small accomplishments or greater successes, as nurses are key players in practice improvement.

As a nurse, we see firsthand what works and what doesn’t. Nurses who proactively bring these things to light contribute to better nursing practice. You can discover better practices for all nurses by taking the initiative!

7. Professionalism

Professionalism is defined as “the behaviors, goals, or qualities of a profession or professional.” How you treat your colleagues and your patients reflects your professionalism.

In nursing, we are expected to adhere to the Code of Ethics of Nursing, which includes autonomy, benevolence, impartiality, and nonmaleficence. A code of ethics is part of nursing professionalism. Respect for others is an absolute must in nursing!

8. Resilience

As the world of care continues to change, being resilient is a must. A resilient nurse “has the ability to face adverse circumstances, stay focused, and continue to be optimistic about the future. During the pandemic, nurses have been pushed to the edge but have remained resilient. No matter how strong you are, Always remember self-care is important too!

9. Teamwork

We often need help. When nurses work successfully as a team, patient outcomes are better and everyone's burden is reduced. If you are a team player, your coworkers won't mind helping you when you need help.

10. Time management and flexibility

To be an effective nurse, good time management skills are essential. Even if you have excellent time management skills, you must be flexible. Time management and flexibility go hand in hand.

We all know what it's like, we've planned our shift and then, boom, someone screws it up and everything we had planned is put on hold.

Once things are under control, it’s time to reschedule for the next steps. Good time management and staying flexible will make the transition more organized so you don't find yourself running around in uncertainty.

Most of these nursing skills cannot be learned in nursing school, but they will be improved in our daily work.