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Nursing in some form or another has been around forever—or at least . It is a noble calling that requires a passion for helping others and just the right blend of empathy, caring, and dedication. But you also need knowledge, technical skills, and the right training. Do you have what it takes? Check out these 9 qualities and characteristics that make a good nurse.

1. Nurses Need a Passion for the Profession - Most nurses love what they do and are . Becoming a nurse means being a patient advocate and a proud member of your profession. Your passion for the pathway keeps you motivated in spite of the physical and emotional challenges you may face. You step up in emergencies and are a steady presence in the day-to-day of your patients as a medical profession.
    

1. Compassion and Empathy - As a nurse, you help people from diverse backgrounds no matter how different from our own. You find a way to connect with patients on an emotional level so you know where they’re coming from and how you can help them. You need to care about the well-being of your patients and demonstrate compassion, even in the most difficult situations. Compassion is how you provide comfort, while empathy helps you understand and address the emotional needs of patients. Especially as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), providing lots of hands-on care to some of the most vulnerable populations, you need to listen to their concerns, acknowledge their fears, and respond with kindness.
    
2. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills - In an emergency, you need to be able to quickly assess a situation, identify potential issues, and make informed decisions about the best course of action. Those critical thinking skills will help you face complex situations with the calm attention they require. As a nurse, you’re often a first point of contact for patients and you see them more often than their doctor. Your skills can help you recognize signs of a worsening health condition that you can bring to the attention of the doctor or other healthcare professionals. Critical thinking helps you prioritize tasks and understand which of your patients’ needs are the most pressing.
    
3. Nurses Are Physically Strong - Nursing is a physically demanding job. You are on your feet for long stretches of time, moving patients, lifting equipment, and responding to emergencies. Good physical stamina helps you keep up with the demands of the job without hurting yourself or becoming too tired. Especially when you’re tasked with helping people walk or get in and out of bed, you need to be physically able to do the job.
    

1. Strong Communication Skills - Communication is one of the most important aspects of nursing. You need to clearly and effectively communicate with patients, their families, and the medical team. Sometimes you need to translate complex medical language and procedures into simple terms. You also need to answer questions and serve as a liaison to the rest of the medical team. And at times, you need to understand non-verbal communication such as body language, tone of voice, and eye contact. To be a good nurse, you note patient cues, address issues, and convey confidence, warmth, and reassurance.
    
2. Nurses Have Excellent Attention to Detail - , causing patient harm and even death. That’s why it’s critical for you to pay attention to the smallest details. From administering medications to monitoring vital signs, you need to pay keen attention to detail. Whether you’re an LPN or a Registered Nurse, you’re often responsible for tasks like wound care, taking vital signs, and administering medications. All of these responsibilities require precision, focus, and the understanding that accuracy is critical.
    
3. Ethical Integrity - Because you’re entrusted with the care of patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, you need a strong sense of ethical integrity. In addition to upholding the legal requirements for patient confidentiality, you also serve as an advocate for your patients’ rights, always acting in the best interest of your patient. And whether dealing with the elderly, disabled, chronically ill, or any other type of population, you ensure that all your patients are treated with respect and dignity.
    
4. Emotional Resilience - For all its reward, nursing can be an emotionally demanding career path. After all, suffering patients can be difficult to deal with and not all your patients will survive. Your resiliency will help you handle stressful situations such as patients in pain, challenging family members, or the death of a patient. As an LPN, you may work in a long-term care facility or rehabilitation centers, where you grow really close to the residents. This can be rewarding but also emotionally taxing, especially when your patients’ conditions decline. It’s up to you to find a way to handle stress so you bring the best version of yourself to each and every patient no matter what happened in the last room or the last week.
    
5. Nurses are Lifelong Learners - Healthcare is constantly evolving, so you need to be willing and able to keep up with new technologies, procedures, treatments, and regulations. Whether it’s a new way to enter data into an electronic medical record, or new safety protocols handed down by the Center for Disease Control, you need to adapt, learn, and grow. You may also decide to earn credentials that can enhance your knowledge and boost your career prospects.
    

Do you have the qualities and characteristics to be a nurse? If you think you’re up for the challenge, Lincoln Technical Institute can help you acquire the technical and medical skills you need to be a nurse. Our Practical Nursing program is offered in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Fill out the form to learn more today.