Title: You’re a perfect 10: Ten Necessary Character Traits for a Registered Nurse from the Employer’s Perspective

10. BE ADAPTABLE

The working environment of a registered nurse is dynamic. Unexpected situations and contingenices will always emerge. This requires an adaptability and flexibility to a wide range of circumstances.

9. SELF-CONFIDENCE

Patients themselves possess different character traits, and some of those more inclined to be negative could find that the hospital environment brings out the worst in them. A nurse must be sure of him or herself, and ignore degrading remarks.

8. EMOTIONALLY STABLE

The nurse can potentially be witness to some tragic and disheartening events. This requires a certain stoicism. A degree of emotional stability prevents the nurse from being overwhelmed by unfortunate situations.

7. KINDNESS

Kindness stresses the care in “healthcare.” Demonstrating kindness to the patient can alleviate the stress and pain they are going through. The patient can be relieved by knowing that the nurse cares about their situation.

6. HARD WORKER

The nurse is always on the run, with a vast amount of responsibilities. Therefore, an aversion to a hectic and demanding work environment will severely limit the possibilities of success in the profession.

5. A SENSE OF TEAMWORK

The nurse is never working alone. Other co-workers, such as nurses, doctors, and various members of hospital staff all work together to make the hospital a successful environment for health care. Working as a team is beneficial to individual workers and patients and helps the entire operation run more efficiently.

4. POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Some of the experiences that a nurse will experience can be trying. Accordingly, it is important to maintain an outlook that is optimistic. This alleviates some of the stresses that the nurse will inevitably go through. Contextualizing the bad incidents shows the nurse’s ability to keep in mind the bigger picture.

3. FAST THINKING

A lot of situations will require quick problem solving skills. The nurse has to realize his or her theoretical knowledge in a practical manner, immediately providing solutions to serious cases. A fast mind helps ensure that problems can be resolved in a pragmatic and efficient manner.

2. OPENNESS TO NEW PEOPLE

The hospital environment is constantly inundated with new patients. This is not a factory job where you will be exposed to the same co-workers day in and day out. The openness to accepting new opinions, outlooks and personality traits will help the nurse excel in a dynamic situation.

1. ALTRUISM

The nursing profession is not merely a job, but an ethical commitment. Choosing to be a nurse shows that you care about the community at large. This is a profession that carries with it a decision to endeavor to make life better for others. As Fry, Veatch and Taylor (2010) write, “increasingly, nurses recognize the responsibility to be active, participating members of the healthcare team, initiating actions when ethical questions emerge.” (p. 1)