Is Nursing For Me? 3 Ways to Know You Belong in Scrubs
Working in the medical profession, regardless of the discipline, is unlike any other job. It is a calling, rather than just another job. Hence, if you are planning on becoming a nurse, it may be a good idea to think about whether or not it is a job you want to do. The following are three attributes you should have if you are thinking about a career as a nurse.
Are You Flexible and Able to Adapt to New Practices?
The nursing world is constantly changing and evolving. This means you will need to stay current on all the science and technology associated with this profession. You could say that the one constant in the nursing profession is change itself. In fact, it’s not unusual for things to change on a daily basis. This can also apply to policies and health care rules and regulations.
The medical profession works on the principal of evidence-based standards. This is a fancy term for new understanding in treatment options. When this happens, it will be your job as a nurse to stay abreast of the new knowledge. On top of all this, you will need to recognize when you have reached your limits, to avoid being too stressed.
The Five Cs: Can You Demonstrate All of Them?
Many nursing schools will teach what is known as the “5 C’s” of the nursing world. These are commitment, competence, conscience, confidence, and compassion.
Commitment: Since the nursing job is not like most other jobs, you will need exceptional commitment to succeed at it. To take care of people on a daily basis is after all, not an easy task.
Competence: Since the nursing profession can become very technical, you will be required to demonstrate your competence on almost a daily basis. Unlike many other jobs, where people forget most of what they learned after they graduate, nursing jobs will constantly test your knowledge. Not only that, you will be required to study new information, regularly.
Conscience: Since nursing jobs involve dealing with patients, you will need to have high moral and ethical standards. Showing empathy daily is not just expected, it is required. This, in turn, requires conscience to do so.
Confidence: Patients take for granted that their nurse is competent. It is your job as a nurse to show full confidence in what you are doing. If you do not show that you are confident in what you are doing, it will naturally make patients feel unsafe and uncomfortable.
Compassion: Showing compassion towards patients not only goes a long way in fostering patient-nurse relationships but it helps in the healing process of the patients. However, nurses need to show compassion towards other employees who work at the hospital, to help foster a healthy working atmosphere for everyone.
Do You Have Enough Patience for the Nursing Profession?
If there is one job in the world where you will be required to have infinite amounts of patience, it is the nursing profession. Expecting the unexpected is a way of life for most nurses. The fact is, every day at the job will be different from the previous one. This means you will not be able to predict how each day is going to turn out. A typical day may involve relatives of patients becoming impatient and frustrated with you or doctors taking their time to do their duties. Whatever the reason is, you will need to show extreme patience in order to be flexible.
Are You Ready to Get Started on Your Journey?
Are you interested in becoming a nurse? If you want to earn an Associate Degree of Nursing, consider ECPI University. For more information on this accelerated program, connect with a friendly admissions representative.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Nursing - Associate’s
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