Being a nurse is a challenge. It is a lot of hard work, intense hours, and can be thankless. It takes a certain type of person to be a nurse and love doing it so it can be done the right way. Not everybody is cut out for it, in other words. If you are thinking about taking some nursing courses, then you need to be sure that you will actually want to follow through.
This means that some self-evaluation is needed to understand if you really are meant to do that kind of job. If you do, then you will be rewarded with a career that is always in demand and can change peoples’ lives. In this article, we will go over some of the things to know about being a nurse so you can decide if you are cut out for it.
1. Does it fit your personality type?
Everybody falls into a certain category of personality type. This isn’t to say that everybody in those groups is the same, but certain things resonate with the majority. This is essential in understanding what types of jobs you are best suited for.
For instance, certain personality types are ready and willing to put other peoples’ needs first. They are considerate and kind and often look out for those that need a helping hand. This type of person makes a great nurse because they care about others and want to help them get better.
Those are traits that are essential if you are going into the healthcare field and will need to have compassion and understanding to be able to help people and not get burnt out. Not everybody has these traits so do a personality test to see if you are cut out for this type of job before you do anything.
2. Are you a quick thinker?
One of the biggest requirements when it comes to being a nurse is the ability to quickly adapt to a situation as it changes. This is par for the course when you are a nurse as there is never a dull moment. There is no way to predict what awaits you from one moment to the next.
If you can think on your feet and adapt quickly then you will be able to make it as a nurse. If you are inflexible and require things to be orderly and predictable then you may end up struggling.
3. Are you a good listener?
Hearing what your patients are saying and taking their concerns to heart is an essential part of the job. It takes an active listener that processes what people are saying to be a good nurse.
At times, it requires understanding the subtle language they are using to be able to completely comprehend what people mean and not just hearing the words they use. Many patients will want to talk to you about their problems as it is therapeutic for them.
