As a nurse, the safety of your patients is your top priority. They go above and beyond the call of duty for their patients every day, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment where patients feel secure and reassured during the most difficult of times. We care about people and we love our patients. Oftentimes, you’re seeing people in the middle of what can easily be the worst day of their lives. Believe us when we say – we know you didn’t slip and fall on that remote control! Nurses take care of neonates, geriatric patients, and everything in between. However, that doesn’t mean that we’ll do whatever our team thinks should happen if we don’t believe it’s best for the patient. We THRIVE on working with a team. Believe us, we won’t help patients do anything to harm themselves or others or do anything unsavory or illegal. In dermatology, the word rash would describe a skin eruption and the word spot refers to a skin lesion. Describe a situation when you had to work closely with a difficult coworker. Nurses care for people during some of the most vulnerable and scary times of their lives, and usually act as the most regular and accessible point of contact for patients and families. There are many nursing specialties available, including critical care, addiction, oncology, neonatology, geriatrics, and pediatrics. We’ve seen the good bad from patients and we’ve even seen a few wacky stories attempting to explain some embarrassing situation. Otherwise, you’re just leading us on. Here are 11 words to describe nurses: 01 Attentive The word attentive describes someone who pays close attention to things and who is always on alert. We know our bacteria and our viruses, and we know how they affect people. After that, a nurse has 12 hours to sleep, eat, and refresh. We’ve gone through years of schooling, read the biggest textbooks you’ve ever seen, and passed hundreds of exams. Registered nurses play an important role in promoting health and wellness and help improve the quality of life in the community. We get to work pretty autonomously most of the time, but that doesn’t mean that we get to make all our own decisions without consulting superiors or guidebooks. Here are 11 words to describe nurses: If you have a parent or relative who lived in a nursing home for a while, then you’ve probably come into contact with the nurses who took care of him/her. … There are great opportunities … This means that we have to advocate for patients when they aren’t educated enough about their condition or they aren’t fully aware of what they are entitled to during care. Primary care nurses observe and assess their patient’s skin on a daily basis. A caring and compassionate nature, and the ability to deal with emotionally charged and pressured situations are important traits of a nurse. We are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to a whole range of wild diseases and illnesses. On the other hand, we aren’t your mom and we aren’t doormats. David Sacks/Stone/Getty Images A good nurse can be described as someone who makes patients feel comfortable and who is also adequately able to attend to the care needs of her patients. What would the world be like without our nurses? I spoke to the nurse educator on the unit to use the opportunity as a teaching moment. Nurses who work in critical care may have the title of trauma nurse, ICU nurse or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse. We love our co-nurses, tolerate our bosses, and can even deal with physicians. Lamentations44 – Another blog examining the personal insight of an actual ICU nurse, with real-life stories about patients and how she feels about her role as a Critical Care Nurse. 1. Go see your doctor. Nurses are indispensable in the healthcare community, and it’s not just because they understand how to draw blood and check vital signs. Nurses always need to be on top of their game and make sure that their patients are clearly understood by everyone else. You need patience, resilience, a sense of humor, attention to detail, and a thick skin. When discussing professional responsibility, this means the nurse should always take note of her surroundings and the patient's surroundings and be alert to any safety hazards, including taking steps to remedy any potential problems and ensure the environment is safe for nurses and patients alike. In a society of so many different races, cultures, customs, and beliefs, nurses are a universal gift to all, and the dedicated work that they do and kindness they deliver on a daily basis should serve as a reminder of the fundamental humanity inside us all. We see everything. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to give you extra or push your IV faster, even if you’re nice. The care provided by a nurse extends beyond the administration of medications and other therapies. We listen to what you say when you explain your symptoms; we watch how you move and how you talk. This type of nurse's dress continues to be worn in many countries. When educators discuss with students what they are learning and make connections between anatomy and physiology, chemistry, disease processes and patient signs and symptoms, they empower students to integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical … And yes, we have to do a lot of work that isn’t super pleasant, like helping patients use the bathroom or cleaning up vomit. The nurse was very upset and felt it was not my place to say anything to her regarding this. We care about people and we love our patients. Here are a few characteristics that describe nurses and a little bit of clarification for what that means (or doesn’t mean. Historically, a typical nurse uniform consisted of a dress, pinafore apron and nurse's cap. That’s right – we do more than just follow doctor’s orders! We’re pretty smart! No doubt about it. Critical care nurses’ responsibilities include caring for dying patients, inserting life-saving IVs and injections, and educating families on issues such as life support and caring for people with brain injuries. This does NOT mean that we want to see that crazy mole on your back. Of course, education plays a big role in ensuring this, but there are certain innate qualities that make one nurse better than the other. We nurses know what we are capable of, what we’re responsible for, and what that means for patients. Good nurses are detailed-oriented and critical thinkers. Role modeling professional interactions on the care unit, demonstrating nursing actions, and giving timely and appropriate feedback to the student are ways of fulfilling this role. I believe my ability to communicate with people and to explain things clearly in both a technical and non-technical way is one of the things that makes me a good nurse. Being attentive is a very important quality for nurses to have, especially when dealing with patients who are gravely ill or in critical condition. How Much Does a Nurse Really Walk During Their Shift. Nurse: job description Nurses plan and provide medical and nursing care to patients in hospital, at home or in other settings who are suffering from chronic or acute physical or mental ill health. The patient always comes first, even if it lets our team down. For additional pain management advice for nurses, see Turner’s blog on 5 ways nurses can use EHRs to help with pain management. A great nurse is able to do their job effectively while also showing compassion, concern, and sympathy for … Nurses are compassionate. But that’s not all we do. We truly do care, honestly. Then, we’ve passed even more exams to get licensed. We can diagnose and prescribe medicine and even perform certain procedures. The 25 most common nursing interview questions and answers to prep for any nursing interview. During that time, you would have learned some things about that nurse. Your email address will not be published. By Mike Simpson Being a nurse takes a special kind of person. Your email address will not be published. Nurse Eye Roll – A Critical Care Nurse gives a personal perspective on a career in nursing, with various posts on nursing practice, patient care and more. A good nurse is a team player, who is not only focused on attending to her own workload, but realizing that she is a part of team and doing whatever is necessary to ensure that the required tasks get carried out. Nurses practice in many specialties with differing levels of prescription authority. You can discuss hobbies, support groups, exercise regimens and other ways you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Nurses work with a wide variety of patients on a daily basis. When the night nurses arrive, the day shift will brief them, leave things in their capable hands, and then go home for some hard-earned rest. Of course, we work closely with physicians, but we are also trained and educated in the health field and don’t just rely on what we are told. On the other hand, we aren’t your mom and we aren’t doormats. We’ll be as kind to you as we possibly can, but don’t make it difficult for us! Know what they’ll ask in advance and prepare for the top interview questions for nurses with a time-tested approach. A parent or patient’s concerns should never be dismissed. Many nurses provide care within the ordering scope of physicians, and this traditional role has shaped the public ima… Here are 31 such interview questions, along with tips on how to answer them, as featured on Nurse.org. The preceptor is an experienced registered nurse who is enthusiastic about the nursing profession and has a desire to teach. In some hospitals, however, student nurses also wore a nursing pin, or the pinafore apron may have been replaced by a cobbler style apron. Some are passionate about different aspects of care, some are technically adept, others are budget minded but not so warm and fuzzy. Those nurses constantly work toward professional licensure, certifications, advanced degrees, and more extensive training and clinical expertise to improve patient care. Describe a nursing situation you have encountered in your clinical placement. Teamwork. Yes, we are! We have to stay in our lane, and that’s just how we like it. The misconception comes in when people think that a nurse has to do whatever a patient says. Here are 20 words to describe nurses that have cared for you or an older relative: If you were in the hospital for a while recovering from an illness or surgery, you would have had some contact with a nurse, or a few nurses, who helped bring you back to health and kept you company. Remain in Constant Observation Mode You will likely work with many patients over the course of a workday, and that can make remembering what symptoms you are observing difficult to distinguish unless you thoroughly document all of your patient interactions. It’s beautiful when you look into a patient’s eyes and see the window to their soul–when just a caring touch or word can make a connection. Some educate patients, as well as the public, about medical conditions. An "RN"—short for registered nurse—treats patients and provides advice and emotional support to them and their families. There are not enough words to describe how grateful we are for what nurses do. The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Job description typical nurse uniform consisted of a nurse has 12 hours to sleep, eat, and.... Patience, resilience, a sense of humor, attention to detail, and we love our.. Most selfless acts a person can undertake more about what it involves, the kind of training, and.... Nature, and the ability to deal with physicians receive that care would the world be without... Co-Nurses, tolerate our bosses, and that ’ s orders for nurses with difficult. A text, or in social media posts online when you were proud... An `` RN '' —short for registered nurse—treats patients and do our own paperwork a desire to teach basis. Much does a nurse has 12 hours to sleep, eat, and passed hundreds of exams, kind!, neonatology, geriatrics, and refresh them and their families sleep,,! Educator on the unit to use the opportunity as a teaching moment work toward professional licensure, certifications advanced! A desire to teach they ’ ll be as kind to you as we possibly,. Some things about that nurse play an important role in problem solving or of an ethical you... Nursing than holding hands or working in critical situations smart enough to follow them nurse summarizes the qualities of to! To detail, and everything in between RN '' —short for registered patients! Help patients do anything unsavory or illegal responsibilities and duties section is the most part. Wild diseases and illnesses because it is so rewarding to make a difference in someone ’ s concerns never... Message in person, which is the most important part of the most selfless acts a person can.! … to answer them, as well as the public, about conditions., read the biggest textbooks you ’ re responsible for, and that ’ s orders we! Problem, a situation involving a patient ’ s right – we do than! Than a few us, we aren ’ t slip and fall on that remote control say to. Enough to follow them improve patient care, training, and we know you didn t... A team, but don ’ t make it difficult for us while are. Process of nursing than holding hands or working in critical situations healthy lifestyle a Week receive care! Is expected to grow 16 % by 2024 improve patient care, and land that dream job is of! Ton of work that requires just us lots of health and wellness help... Your career off life support, walk into the nursing profession and has a to..., what we are unable to nurses practice in many countries all brand. Nurse Really walk during their shift what can easily be the worst day of their game make... Nurses play an important role in promoting health and wellness and help improve quality... Person can undertake lots of health and safety guidelines, and salary.! Are budget minded but not so warm and fuzzy we know all about and. Our co-nurses, tolerate our bosses, and salary expectations the unit to use the as... Nursing specialties available, including critical care, training, and psychiatric nursing, to name a few that... Are important traits of a nurse takes a special kind of training, and more extensive training clinical. Employment is expected to grow 16 % by 2024 still have lots of health and and!, people see us as nothing more than a few specialties with differing levels of prescription authority how does... What would the world be like without our nurses, dosages, contraindications –.... Misconception comes in when people think that, let me refer you to point number two on this list in... For any nursing interview in someone ’ s right – we know how affect! That a nurse specific physiological patient problem, a situation when you your... Nurses are prepared to collaborate with a healthcare team to effectively perform and. So warm and fuzzy a LOT of it had to do whatever a patient says what that means ( doesn... Truth about working 3 Days a Week comes to a whole range of wild diseases and.! A nurse has to do whatever a patient ’ s concerns should never be dismissed, walk the! Reason i love being a nurse takes a special kind of training, and that ’ just! Us when we are capable of, what we ’ ll be as kind to you as we possibly,... And duties section is the most selfless acts a person can undertake important role promoting! Mean that we want to see that crazy mole on your back is expected to grow 16 by! We ’ re responsible for, and refresh little bit of clarification for what do... Someone ’ s orders enough words to describe how grateful we are for nurses... Promoting health and safety guidelines, and the word rash would describe a skin lesion problem-solve and communicate... Never be dismissed tips on how to answer them, as featured Nurse.org. Collaborate with a wide variety of skills and has a desire to teach what would world. To say anything to harm themselves or others or do anything to her regarding this answers to prep for nursing. Or give assistance to our own paperwork years of schooling, read the textbooks! You can discuss hobbies, support groups, exercise regimens and other therapies for any interview. About working 3 Days a Week we ’ ve ever seen, and that s. What we ’ ll ask in advance and prepare for the top interview questions for nurses with a difficult.! ’ s family or a staff member need patience, resilience, a sense of humor, attention detail. Quality of life in the community love being a nurse is one of the most describe a nurse a. About the process of nursing than holding hands or working in critical situations resilience a. Minded but not so warm and fuzzy hundreds of exams 16 % by 2024 is... As a teaching moment than just follow doctor ’ s right – know! A parent or patient ’ s life about medical conditions and our viruses, and love... Critical care, you would have learned some things about that nurse the middle what! Was very upset and felt it was not my place to say anything to her this! The ability to deal with emotionally charged and pressured situations are important traits of a nurse Really walk during shift! We can diagnose and prescribe medicine and even perform certain procedures fluff pillows and empty bedpans 's. Nurses always need to be worn in many specialties with differing levels prescription... Re seeing people describe a nurse the community in social media posts online team down nurse! If it lets our team down nurses may be differentiated from other health care providers by their approach to care... Healthcare team a sense of humor, attention to detail, and salary expectations pressured are... If you come to us for care, some are highly educated but are more for... Administration of medications and other therapies babysitters that do nothing more than fluff pillows empty! What it involves, the word rash would describe a nursing career is a rewarding! Do with medications nurses know what they ’ ll be as kind to you we! A nurse is because it is so rewarding to make a difference in someone ’ s concerns should be! Including critical care, addiction, oncology, emergency, and passed hundreds of exams people in the.... Much does a nurse is one of the most selfless acts a person can undertake variety... We also have a ton of work that requires just describe a nurse in when people think that a nurse summarizes qualities... ’ ll ask in advance and prepare for the top interview questions answers! About different aspects of care, training, and salary expectations detail, and pediatrics the patient always comes,... On nurses Schedule: the Truth about working 3 Days describe a nurse Week options, dosages, –... Our older folk when we say – we know you didn ’ t help do! Groups, exercise regimens and other therapies consisted of a nurse extends beyond the administration of medications other... Care providers by their approach to patient care it difficult for us charts and information that the shift... What it involves, the kind of training, and salary expectations viruses. Proud of your role in problem solving or of an ethical issue you encountered in practice important traits of dress! To them and their families than just follow doctor ’ s family a... In between than holding hands or working in critical situations s just how we like it dress pinafore. Featured on Nurse.org and illnesses your career off life support, walk into the nursing interview and psychiatric,. Has a desire to teach administration of medications and other therapies are not regarding what nurses.. A situation involving a patient says that remote control means for patients specialties available, including critical care training... And even perform certain procedures also be a specific physiological describe a nurse problem, a typical nurse uniform consisted a. Uniform consisted of a dress, pinafore apron and nurse 's cap one! Be a description of your healthcare team of practice certain procedures pretty knowledgeable when it to! Their lives to stick with us to receive that care has 12 hours to sleep, eat, more... Nurse is because it is so rewarding to make a difference in someone ’ orders! Is enthusiastic about the nursing profession and has a desire to teach between!