Being a great nurse requires a very special person; not everyone can handle the demands and pressure of this critical role. Nurses make up the majority of the healthcare system. They are the primary care providers in hospitals and most long-term care facilities. Few professions provide as much personal fulfillment as nursing. It offers flexible job opportunities, professional respect, advancement potential, and the opportunity to make a difference in everyone’s lives – to name a few benefits.

Those interested in this role must understand that healthcare has challenges like any other field. The work is extremely gratifying but also super-demanding. Despite all that, nurses tend to be survivors of the chaos – they are more prudent, prepared, and well-collected than any other medical profession.

To support the above-said argument, here’s a list of all the amazing things nurses do every day (even when they don’t want to):

1. They provide emotional support relentlessly

Nurses provide vital emotional support to patients. The healthcare system can be terrifying for patients, especially if dealing with serious illnesses and injuries. Doctors are under time constraints and may be unable to linger with patients as they process the gravity of their diagnoses. After a frightening illness or diagnostic test, the nurse often comes alongside a patient to provide emotional support. The nurse is the person who holds a patient’s hand during a stressful medical procedure. A nurse is the one who soothes a patient who is resilient to care. Nurses must be strong enough to provide emotional support to patients and their families.

Furthermore, as a nurse, you play a critical role in providing patients with the best possible care and support. In that pursuit, additional education can help you perform your job more effectively. Many post-graduate universities provide an online RN to BSN program, an excellent option for nurses wishing to expand their education while improving their skills. Another great option for nurses wanting to advance their career, is to become a family nurse practitioner. Becoming a family nurse practitioner will allow you to provide more direct care to patients, and there are programs, such as MSN – FNP Online | UT Arlington, that will allow you to accomplish this goal.

2. They manage patient cases with care

Nurses play an important role in managing patient cases in many medical settings. They collaborate with physicians to plan and carry out outpatient care based on how patients react to treatment. For example, a nurse may recognize that a patient is not getting better after starting a specific medication in a hospital. They will discuss their findings with the doctor and make suggestions for improvements to the care plan. The physician can make a prescription change based on the nurse’s input.

The nurse will then put the change into action and monitor patients to see any improvement. Moreover, case management is a collaborative effort, but the nurse is essential.

3. They know how to manage their time properly

Everything in the medical field is time-sensitive. Medication administration, for example, is a large part of most nurses’ obligations, and regulations strictly govern administration times. Doses administered early or late can cause procedures to be delayed and have a significant impact on outcomes.

Patients must be fed, cleaned, and taken to the bathroom on time, as an emergency can occur at any time. Nurses make everything run smoothly by planning, prioritizing, passing the buck, and making the most of every minute. It’s a tall order, but managing time effectively keeps a crowded day from becoming daunting and reduces stress. Being organized is more of a learned skill than a natural ability.

4. Nurses lead exceptionally

While most nurses begin their careers to provide patient care, many will find themselves suddenly promoted to leadership positions. Unfortunately, this promotion is too prevalent with insufficient training, career advancement, or support/mentorship. The ability to properly lead is a quality of a good nurse that will become increasingly valuable in the growing nursing field. In addition to this, if a nurse realizes that they are not fit for this position, they will immediately confess their weakness and help the manager appoint someone.

Furthermore, exercising leadership skills at any level or role in the organization demonstrates a willingness to grow and adapt at one’s own pace. Most nursing leaders have mentors who provide them with valuable advice and fuel them into the pursuit of becoming good nurses.

5. They take care of themselves as well

When was the last time you checked your consumption of the major food groups? Even with their hectic schedules, exceptional and well-kept nurses make time for themselves. They know what to eat and how to incorporate vegetables, fruits, dairy, protein, and grains into their diet.

They fill their diets with colorful foods high in antioxidants – keeping diseases at bay. Moreover, they understand the importance of hydration for humans and keeping their bodies energized and functioning properly.

6. They know how to keep situations light and breezy

Nurses who can find time for a laugh in such a mentally and physically demanding career are typically more successful on the job. Because nurses are subjected to varying degrees of high-stress circumstances. Taking advantage of the downtime and adopting a lighthearted attitude could relieve immense stress. A good sense of humor also aids in the spread of positivity to other nurses, health care workers, and their families.

A good sense of humor is not only a trait of a nurse leader. But it also reminds patients and family members that “nurses are people, too,” which increases their openness and trust to sharing feedback and worries. Patients and their families are especially grateful for any efforts (no matter how small) during particularly stressful times.

7. They are ethical

Nurses carry a strong sense of right and wrong, working through the challenges and gaining a moral compass to consistently make sound decisions.

From advocating for a patient’s needs to telling them the truth about their condition, moral situations arise every day even if they don’t want to hear. 

Conclusion

So there you have it – a list of all the best things nurses do every day. While these activities, duties, and traits only scratch the surface, there are many other things nurses have to do to keep the healthcare system running and on track. So if you want to step into the field of nursing, it is important to recognize that becoming a nurse isn’t easy. You have to develop certain characteristics that will make your job easier. Just remember this: To enjoy the job, you must make it more personal. The more effort and heart you put into it, the better your result and work.