30 Qualities Of A Good Nurse – Do You Have Them?

nursing traits essay

Are you a nurse or nursing student who wants to become the best nurse possible? Perhaps you have asked yourself, “What are the qualities of a good nurse?” Maybe you have wondered what you can do to develop attributes necessary for effective nursing practice. If this sounds like you, you will likely find the 30 essential qualities of a good nurse featured in this article helpful. As you continue reading, learn about these qualities, why they are important, and how to strengthen them in your professional role.

What Exactly Is The Definition Of A Good Nurse?

Why is it important to be a good nurse, what are the essential qualities of a good nurse, 1. excellent communication, what is it:, why is this quality important for a good nurse:, how to strengthen this quality:, 2. an attitude of advocacy, 4. compassion, 5. attention to detail, 6. clinical reasoning, • consider the patient situation:, • collect information/cues:, • process information:, • identify issues/problems:, • establish goals:, • evaluate:, 7. prioritization, 8. critical thinking, 9. flexibility, 10. perseverance, 11. confidence, 12. contextual perspective, 13. integrity, 14. clinical intuition, 15. emotional stability, 16. a willingness to learn, 17. versatility, 18. commitment to patients and the profession, 19. respectfulness, 20. assertiveness, 21. dependability, 22. resourcefulness, 23. leadership, 24. time management, 25. emotional intelligence, 26. mentorship, 27. goal-oriented, 28. veracity, 29. endurance, 30. practice self-care, what to do if you do not have the qualities that make a good nurse, bonus 10 bad qualities a good nurse can never have, 1. not taking ownership of oneself:, 2. job hopping:, 3. avoiding work assignments:, 4. lack of empathy:, 5. beware of a gossiper., 6. not being a “team player”:, 7. ignoring protocols:, 8. dishonesty:, 9. a sense of entitlement:, 10. disinterest in learning:, my final thoughts.

nursing traits essay

nursing traits essay

How to Write an Admission Essay for Nursing School

nursing traits essay

The nursing school admission process is rigorous. One of the critical requirements for new applicants is an application essay, and writing a compelling nursing essay will give you a major head start over other nursing school candidates.

Once you have figured out why you want to be a nurse, all your memories, accomplishments, ambitions, and goals will align. Therefore, writing an essay on why you are interested in becoming a nurse and selecting a specific nursing college or university allows the admissions team to understand why they should choose you over other candidates.

A well-written, organized, and polished nursing school essay automatically increases your chances of acceptance. With thousands of applications destined for assessment and judgment by the admissions committee, you would want to make your application essay for the nursing school admission stand out.

We have admission essay-writing experts and consultants who, luckily, have compiled this intensive guide to help you write an intentional, focused, and perfect essay for nursing school.

Note: If you are in a hurry or you need direct assistance in writing your nursing college essay, please place an order and let our expert essay writers craft for you an original, engaging, and compelling nursing essay!

What Is a Nursing School Essay?

A nursing school essay is a written piece that demonstrates your interest in a nursing career and elaborates why you are the perfect fit for a specific nursing program.

Most nursing schools (colleges and universities) require aspiring students to write an application essay for nursing school admission. It is a personal essay submitted as part of the application process, which the admission officers review to determine if you can be accepted.

A good nursing school essay shows your interest in the nursing field, your chosen career path, why you want to pursue your nursing education through a specific nursing school program, and why you believe you should be accepted into the institution. It has to show why the entire process is crucial to you and why you are a worthy candidate to select for the nursing school program.

Sometimes, it is the only hope one has left, especially if the competition is stiff. Imagine a situation where the application materials such as grades, resumes, test scores, or recommendation letters are all qualified; a nursing school essay will be the only means to select the best out of the rest fairly.

Writing a perfect nursing essay will demonstrate that you are ready to go down the thorny path of training to become a nurse. Nursing education entails research and writing assignments, and a well-written essay demonstrates your readiness.

Helpful Information to Include in a Nursing Admission Essay

You are probably wondering what goes into an application essay for nursing school admission. Well, your nursing essay will answer an essay prompt from the university. Most colleges will specify the essay questions for college of nursing applicants for various levels of study (MSN, DNP, BSN, Ph.D., or ADN).

Below are some examples of what might be expected:

  • Your goals and ambitions for a successful nursing career
  • How do you plan to achieve your academic goals
  • The specific reasons why you want to join the nursing field
  • Reasons you are selecting the particular nursing school or program
  • Personal accomplishments that set you apart as the right candidate
  • Experiences and encounters that make you love nursing career
  • Plans for the future once accepted
  • Experience with medical training or patient care
  • Character traits aligned to being a nurse
  • How you are prepared to become a successful nurse
  • Academic, personal, and career interests
  • Any other reasons to convince the admissions committee to approve your admission

In some quarters, a nursing school application essay might be a statement of purpose, personal essay, or letter of intent. It is a chance to plead with the admissions committee to accept you into your dream nursing college or program. Having looked at what goes into it, it is also essential to cover the steps to writing a perfect and comprehensive admission essay for nursing school.

Structure of a Nursing School Essay

A nursing essay for admission into a nursing program or school follows the typical format of an academic essay. It is organized into three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction

  • This is the opening paragraph that has to impress your readers (admissions officers)
  • It can make or break your admission essay or personal statement
  • It should be direct to the point
  • It is a roadmap that helps the readers to know what to expect as your story grows.
  • Open it using an enticing quote, event, anecdote, or statement
  • You are allowed to use personal pronouns such as I in the introduction and the rest of the essay
  • It has 2- 3 and sometimes five paragraphs
  • Elaborates the introduction
  • Every paragraph has a unique opening sentence that is a mini-thesis statement.
  • Bears the best ideas yielded in your brainstorming session
  • It can be as long as your word limit allows but contributes to at least 70-80% of the word count
  • Focuses on quality over quantity
  • Has one idea or experience per paragraph
  • You should mention the skills you intend to develop and how they will help you become a successful nurse
  • Connect the skills and experiences to the program and your future career
  • Summarize and emphasize the main ideas
  • It should be captivating and insightful
  • Conveys a sense of closure to the readers
  • Invites the readers to reflect on the ideas in your essay
  • Creates one last lasting impression on the readers

Outline for a Nursing School Essay

A good nursing school essay outline should give you directions that help you visualize what the essay will look like in its final draft.

If you are writing a nursing essay, having the outline is the first thing you do after brainstorming (as shown in the steps).

It helps you to figure out how to arrange the ideas and points in the essay for a better flow. You can develop each section independently, regardless of the sequence, and still have a quality essay. 

In most cases, the outline is meant for personal consumption, especially when writing a personal statement. However, if you are writing a nursing essay on a given nursing topic , you might be required to write an outline, annotated bibliography , and the nursing essay , and each will be graded separately.

Given the structure, you can outline your nursing school essay as follows:

    Introduction paragraph

  • Hook (quote, statement, or anecdote)
  • Background information
  • Thesis statement
  • Transition sentence

    Body paragraph 1

  • Topic sentence
  • Evidence, data, and facts
  • Transition to the second body paragraph

    Body paragraph 2

  • Transition to the third body paragraph

    Body paragraph 3

  • Transition to the conclusion

    Conclusion

  • Summary of the main ideas
  • Restate the thesis statement
  • Last impression (call to action to the admissions committee)

Steps for Writing a Nursing School Essay

Optimizing your application essay increases your chance of getting accepted into the nursing program or nursing school. The essay should elaborate on your person (who you are as an individual) by providing a comprehensive perspective of your career ambitions, goals, and plans related to your passion for nursing. You should elaborate to the admissions committee why you are a good fit for their nursing program. Students at the ADN, BSN, ABSN (Accelerated BSN), MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. might be required to write an admission or personal essay, and here are the five steps to make it successful.

  • Read the prompt
  • Brainstorm for ideas
  • Plan your essay
  • Write the first draft
  • Edit and Polish your Essay

Let's explore all these steps before delving into the tips to help you write the essay better.

Read the Prompt

If you are considering applying to a specific nursing school, you need to begin by researching the application process to know when you will be expected to submit your application essay.

In most cases, the nursing schools have essay prompts and instructions for the potential nursing candidates published on their websites. The prompts might vary depending on the programs you are interested in pursuing and the institutional preferences. Therefore, it is vital to begin by locating the nursing school essay guidelines. A quick search online can help, or you will also find it enclosed in the email sent to you by the school's admissions committee.

Read the instructions thoroughly with a specific focus on the essay question, word limit, and topics you must cover. If you apply to many nursing schools, you should locate and read each prompt before moving to the next steps.

Reading and understanding the instructions is the first step in writing an excellent application essay. Besides, it helps you to customize the essay to the requirements and not the other way around.

Brainstorm for Ideas

Now that you know what is expected of you, you need to decide what to include in your nursing essay to make it stand out. For this, get into an idea-generation marathon where you brainstorm ideas based on the prompt and the requirements.

Give every idea a thoughtful consideration and make shorthand notes so that you have all the ideas condensed. Consider your ambitions, accomplishments, drive, passion, preferences, strengths, weaknesses, character traits, and other attributes that might relate to your urge to pursue nursing as a career.

Also, research the nursing program and relate it to your personal ambitions and desires. Such information will help you spot the specific things you like about it. You can then tailor your experiences and encounters to the requirements. Look at the program's website and examine 2-3 aspects that stand out. This will help you focus on what you have that makes you the best pick for the program. You can also reference experiences, events, or traits related to the program.

Consider the environment and people around you and relate them to your desire to become a nurse.

Experiences, encounters, and events can inspire ideas to pen into your nursing school essay.

You can also research some well-written examples of nursing personal statements and essays to get inspired when brainstorming ideas for yours. Besides, you can also ask people in your network, such as family, friends, or peers, for ideas that can stand out and then choose the best.

To get the most robust ideas, rate them depending on how best they answer the prompt; this is the fodder for the entire application essay. Choose 3-5 strongest points and make them the central focus of your essay.

Plan your Essay

As a nurse, planning is everything, even when it comes to clinical decision-making. And because you are destined for this noble career, planning your personal essay won't hurt. Instead, it helps you know what to put and where to engage the admission officers from the beginning to the end of your nursing school essay.

With the ideas in mind, create a rough outline and adjust it until you are fully satisfied that your thoughts, facts, and opinions are well-organized. The outline will help you to structure your essay, avoid derailing it, and write a draft that bears all the quality ideas.

A good step is to organize the essay into paragraphs that align with the word count (often given as the minimum or maximum number of words, exact number of words, or characters).

Include an introduction to give your readers a clear understanding of the focus of your essay. Yes, a good nursing essay has a thesis statement that shows your central claim or the main idea you are focusing on the entire essay.

You should include the body paragraphs, each with a topic sentence supporting the thesis and a series of supporting facts such as examples, evidence, and illustration.

Finally, include a conclusion as the last paragraph that reverberates the thesis, summarizes the essay, and has a call to action to the admissions committee.

Write the First Draft

After the outline, you must begin writing your essay sentence by sentence and paragraph after paragraph. Whatever approach you take, ensure that every detail covered in the outline ends up in your essay as long as it is valid.

Write the introduction paragraph by giving a hook or attention grabber. You can begin with a quote from a famous nurse or a scholarly nursing article. You can also state facts or give statistics if they matter to your application. You should also elaborate on your selected topic, especially if the prompt provides options. End your first paragraph with a thesis statement that describes the focus of your nursing school essay. The introduction should account for 10-15% of the word count.

Each body paragraph has a unique, unmistakable, and concise topic sentence followed by supporting details and a concluding sentence that transitions to the next paragraph. Ensure that you have at least two body paragraphs considering that you can write either a three-paragraph or a five-paragraph nursing essay. Collectively, the body section should be 70-80% of the essay's word count. The body paragraphs should outline your encounters, experiences, and events and how they relate to the specific nursing program.

The final part is the conclusion, where you summarize the main ideas in the essay. for this, avoid the clich� conclusion starters such as "in conclusion," "to sum up," or "in summary." Instead, use conclusion opening sentences that demonstrate to your reader that the essay has ended � it gives the best closure and helps close the information loop in your essay. Rephrase your thesis and summarize the main ideas before appealing to the admissions committee to accept you into their nursing program. It should be 10-15% of the word count, like the introduction paragraph.

Edit and Polish the Essay

Now that you are done with your first draft, it is only the beginning, and you are far from being done. You need to take a break to cool down your frustrations, anxiety, and adrenaline developed when writing. It is a chance to establish an objective mind to look at things from a broader perspective when you settle for editing and proofreading.

If you are not good with editing and proofreading, you can hire a professional proofreading and editing expert to look at your essay and suggest changes to make. You can also use friends and family as a second and third eye to see what you cannot see. Using their feedback will help you optimize the essay for better results. You can incorporate the suggestions and proceed to editing and proofreading.

As for editing and proofreading, you can take advantage of tools such as Grammarly, Ginger, Hemingway Editor, and other editing and proofreading tools available by students and professionals. Revise the essay until it meets the requirements and addresses the prompt. If anything, do not be afraid to do away with an entire paragraph or a few paragraphs that don't make sense.

It is better to start over again than submit a subpar nursing school essay that will be a laughingstock of the admissions committee. The only way to entertain the admissions officers is to write an outstanding nursing school essay that will automatically dial you into the nursing program of your choice. Best of luck!

Example of Nursing School Essay Prompts

  • Discuss your interest and understanding of the clinical nurse leader role. What's your story? And what experiences have contributed to your interest?
  • The DNP program aims to prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice. Describe experiences that exhibit your formal leadership role or informal leadership skills.
  • How will the program help you achieve your academic and career goals?
  • What experiences have influenced your interest in pursuing a clinical specialty you have chosen?
  • The DNP program aims to prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice. Describe experiences that exhibit your leadership skills.
  • Why have you chosen to pursue a nursing research doctorate?
  • How does becoming a nurse fulfill your ambitions?
  • What does becoming a nurse mean to you?
  • What drives you to become a nurse?
  • Why do you want to become a nurse?
  • What is your nursing philosophy?
  • What was your reason for choosing nursing as a career? Do you have any additional information that you would like the admissions committee to know about you that has not been previously considered in the application?
  • What are your professional goals? How will this accelerated nursing program help you materialize those goals?
  • Discuss a specific leadership position (e.g., manager, director, associate dean) you wish to attain within three to five years after completing the DNP program.

Note: Some of these prompts have been rephrased from the Rush University Website . They keep changing depending on the preferences of the admissions committee. Inquire with your university or college of nursing to get specific directions on the most current prompts and instructions.

Related Reading: Ideas for a nursing capstone project.

Tips for Writing an Effective Nursing School Admission Essay

When grades, test scores, and other material entries don't count , a nursing school essay, referred to as a personal statement, suffices. In this case, a great nursing school can only be your hope for getting into nursing school. If you want to get ahead of the competition, these proven tips will significantly help you.

1. Plan Well

To pen an excellent nursing school essay that gets you accepted, you need to plan the essay.

Read the instructions, brainstorm as you take notes, research widely, and create an outline.

And even when done, the purpose is to have a reverse outline to help you score the essay against the requirements. Planning helps you to know what attention-grabbing statement to begin the essay with, the sequence of the body paragraph ideas for a logical flow, and what specifics to include in the conclusion.

Having an outline will help you save time when writing the first draft and help you to stay focused when writing.

2. Show, Don't Tell!

All effective nursing school essays express your personality, experiences, and encounters while convincing the admissions officers that you are the best fit for the program.

You should not focus on telling your story alone. Instead, show how your account relates to the prompt.

Discuss experiences, encounters, and events but show how they have impacted your choice of the program and desire to become a nurse.

If you are applying to a specific program, enlighten your readers on why you are specifically interested in the program and what that means.

It could be the hybrid learning model that entails both online and classroom learning or the history or reputation the school has, parental preferences (if they were a graduate), mentor recommendation, etc.

3. Choose Information Wisely

Ensure that every idea or information in your essay is unique, authentic, and original. Don't just write fictitiously.

If you have no past experiences directly related to nursing, you can introduce them and twist them to fit the context.

Impress the admissions committee with your wits, not just a summary of what others have written online.

Standing out in your presentation of facts will always carry the day. Genuinely share your story about what made you want to become a nurse.

4. Avoid Excuses

Even if you don't have appealing past encounters with medicine, hospitals, or anything related to nursing, tell your story as it is.

Do not excuse yourself for telling the truth. After all, you are on your journey to becoming a nurse; all you are seeking is training to develop the knowledge and skills.

If you have cared for your family members at home, babysat your siblings, or have compassion for the suffering, these are the most authentic stories you have, and they can spell meaning on your ambition. Therefore, prove your strong candidature by stating things as they are without clutching at things that do not matter.

5. Let it Flow!

Instead of forcing things such as humor or stories, write plainly about your experiences, encounters, and past events that made you want to become a nurse.

Most "why I want to be a nurse" essays don't have to have any humor. If it clicks well and is good, if it doesn't, don't force it.

As well, avoid exaggerating things when writing your nursing school essay. You should focus on making it as interesting, engaging, and convincing as can be but be truthful.

Avoid mixing up stories. A good way is to focus each paragraph on the main point that relates to your thesis.

6. Show you care about People and Yourself

Nursing is a noble career that entails caring for oneself as you care for others. Your full-time attention and job will be to care for people to help them achieve better health outcomes.

You must show empathy, selflessness, and determination to be a nurse. You can bring examples of when you took care of others and yourself.

Let the committee know that even when training as a nurse, you understand self-care as much as you understand caring for others.

7. Bring in Current Issues

If there is a chance that you can introduce nursing concepts or ideas from current events, it will beef up your nursing school essays.

Get facts from well-established nursing organization websites such as the American Nurses Association, National League of Nursing, Emergency Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau, or National Black Nurses Association, etc.

Intrigue your readers by understanding the challenges and opportunities in the nursing field.

You can relate your application to nursing shortages, medical errors, nursing burnout, continuing education, evidence-based practice, etc.

8. Briefly Explain your Qualifications

Since you have already provided material such as transcripts, resumes, and test scores, it is imperative to briefly expound on the qualifications without going into details. Tell them about your experiences, your education, and how you have set yourself up for success in nursing school . For instance, elaborate on how volunteering and internships helped you develop a sense of becoming a nurse or how they developed skills you will apply in nursing school.

9. Share your plans

Everybody has plans. You have short, medium, and long-term goals as you prepare to enter nursing school. You should include them in your essay and demonstrate how the program or school will help you achieve them. Admission officers are always wowed by hearing about goals, especially if they relate to their schools or programs. As you do this, be very specific with the goals and how you intend to achieve them.

All set, but before You Go �

As you contemplate entering nursing school, you must understand that it will never be a walk in the park. There is so much to learn within the specified time frame, and you must show your preparedness. A nursing school personal essay is one of the ways to do so.

Related Article:

  • Writing a nursing philosophy ( a student's guide)
  • Writing a nursing student resume (a guide)

Lucky for you, our nursing admission essay writers have shared insights, tips, and steps that can help you write an exceptional application essay for any nursing school or program. If you follow them, you will write a seamless admission essay that increases your chances of getting into the nursing school of your dreams.

We wish you luck in your endeavors and promise that were available in case you need a well-written, organized, and plagiarism-free admission essay tailored to your experiences and the specific nursing school or program requirements.

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nursing traits essay

How to Write a Nursing Essay with a Quick Guide

nursing traits essay

Ever felt the blank-page panic when assigned a nursing essay? Wondering where to start or if your words will measure up to the weight of your experiences? Fear not, because today, we're here to guide you through this process.

Imagine you're at your favorite coffee spot, armed with a cup of motivation (and maybe a sneaky treat). Got it? Great! Now, let's spill the secrets on how to spin your nursing tales into words that not only get you that A+ but also tug at the heartstrings of anyone reading. We've got your back with nursing essay examples that'll be your inspiration, an outline to keep you on the right path, and more!

What Is a Nursing Essay

Let's start by dissecting the concept. A nursing essay serves as a focused exploration of a specific aspect of nursing, providing an opportunity for students to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and its practical application in patient care settings.

Picture it as a journey through the challenges and victories of a budding nurse. These essays go beyond the classroom, tackling everything from tricky ethical dilemmas to the impact of healthcare policies on the front lines. It's not just about grades; it's about proving, 'I'm ready for the real deal.'

So, when you read or write a nursing essay, it's not just words on paper. It's like looking into the world of someone who's about to start their nursing career – someone who's really thought about the ins and outs of being a nurse. And before you kick off your nursing career, don't shy away from asking - write my essay for me - we're ready to land a professional helping hand.

How to Start a Nursing Essay

When you start writing a nursing essay, it is like gearing up for a crucial mission. Here's your quick guide from our nursing essay writing service :

How to Start a Nursing Essay

Choosing Your Topic: Select a topic that sparks your interest and relates to real-world nursing challenges. Consider areas like patient care, ethical dilemmas, or the impact of technology on healthcare.

Outline Your Route : Plan your essay's journey. Create a roadmap with key points you want to cover. This keeps you on track and your essay on point.

Craft a Strong Thesis: Assuming you already know how to write a hook , kick off your writing with a surprising fact, a thought-provoking quote, or a brief anecdote. Then, state your main argument or perspective in one sentence. This thesis will serve as the compass for your essay, guiding both you and your reader through the rest of your writing.

How to Structure a Nursing Essay

Every great essay is like a well-orchestrated performance – it needs a script, a narrative that flows seamlessly, capturing the audience's attention from start to finish. In our case, this script takes the form of a well-organized structure. Let's delve into the elements that teach you how to write a nursing essay, from a mere collection of words to a compelling journey of insights.

How to Structure a Nursing Essay

Nursing Essay Introduction

Begin your nursing essay with a spark. Knowing how to write essay introduction effectively means sharing a real-life scenario or a striking fact related to your topic. For instance, if exploring patient care, narrate a personal experience that made a lasting impression. Then, crisply state your thesis – a clear roadmap indicating the direction your essay will take. Think of it as a teaser that leaves the reader eager to explore the insights you're about to unfold.

In the main body, dive into the heart of your essay. Each paragraph should explore a specific aspect of your topic. Back your thoughts with examples – maybe a scenario from your clinical experience, a relevant case study, or findings from credible sources. Imagine it as a puzzle coming together; each paragraph adds a piece, forming a complete picture. Keep it focused and let each idea flow naturally into the next.

Nursing Essay Conclusion

As writing a nursing essay nears the end, resist the urge to introduce new elements. Summarize your main points concisely. Remind the reader of the real-world significance of your thesis – why it matters in the broader context of nursing. Conclude with a thought-provoking statement or a call to reflection, leaving your reader with a lasting impression. It's like the final scene of a movie that leaves you thinking long after the credits roll.

Nursing Essay Outline

Before diving into the essay, craft a roadmap – your outline. This isn't a rigid skeleton but a flexible guide that ensures your ideas flow logically. Consider the following template from our research paper writing service :

Introduction

  • Opening Hook: Share a brief, impactful patient care scenario.
  • Relevance Statement: Explain why the chosen topic is crucial in nursing.
  • Thesis: Clearly state the main argument or perspective.

Patient-Centered Care:

  • Definition: Clarify what patient-centered care means in nursing.
  • Personal Experience: Share a relevant encounter from clinical practice.
  • Evidence: Integrate findings from reputable nursing literature.

Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice

  • Scenario Presentation: Describe a specific ethical challenge faced by nurses.
  • Decision-Making Process: Outline steps taken to address the dilemma.
  • Ethical Frameworks: Discuss any ethical theories guiding the decision.

Impact of Technology on Nursing

  • Current Trends: Highlight technological advancements in nursing.
  • Case Study: Share an example of technology enhancing patient care.
  • Challenges and Benefits: Discuss the pros and cons of technology in nursing.
  • Summary of Key Points: Recap the main ideas from each section.
  • Real-world Implications: Emphasize the practical significance in nursing practice.
  • Closing Thought: End with a reflective statement or call to action.

A+ in Nursing Essays Await You!

Ready to excel? Let us guide you. Click now for professional nursing essay writing assistance.

Nursing Essay Examples

Here are the nursing Essay Examples for you to read.

Writing a Nursing Essay: Essential Tips

When it comes to crafting a stellar nursing essay, a few key strategies can elevate your work from ordinary to exceptional. Here are some valuable tips from our medical school personal statement writer :

Writing a Nursing Essay: Essential Tips

Connect with Personal Experiences:

  • Approach: Weave personal encounters seamlessly into your narrative.
  • Reasoning: This not only adds authenticity to your essay but also serves as a powerful testament to your firsthand understanding of the challenges and triumphs in the nursing field.

Emphasize Critical Thinking:

  • Approach: Go beyond describing situations; delve into their analysis.
  • Reasoning: Nursing essays are the perfect platform to showcase your critical thinking skills – an essential attribute in making informed decisions in real-world healthcare scenarios.

Incorporate Patient Perspectives:

  • Approach: Integrate patient stories or feedback into your discussion.
  • Reasoning: By bringing in the human element, you demonstrate empathy and an understanding of the patient's experience, a core aspect of nursing care.

Integrate Evidence-Based Practice:

  • Approach: Support your arguments with the latest evidence-based literature.
  • Reasoning: Highlighting your commitment to staying informed and applying current research underscores your dedication to evidence-based practice – a cornerstone in modern nursing.

Address Ethical Considerations:

  • Approach: Explicitly discuss the ethical dimensions of your topic.
  • Reasoning: Nursing essays provide a platform to delve into the ethical complexities inherent in healthcare, showcasing your ability to navigate and analyze these challenges.

Balance Theory and Practice:

  • Approach: Connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications.
  • Reasoning: By bridging the gap between theory and practice, you illustrate your capacity to apply academic knowledge effectively in the dynamic realm of nursing.

Highlight Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

  • Approach: Discuss collaborative efforts with other healthcare professionals.
  • Reasoning: Acknowledging the interdisciplinary nature of healthcare underscores your understanding of the importance of teamwork – a vital aspect of successful nursing practice.

Reflect on Lessons Learned:

  • Approach: Conclude with a thoughtful reflection on personal growth or lessons from your exploration.
  • Reasoning: This not only provides a satisfying conclusion but also demonstrates your self-awareness and commitment to continuous improvement as a nursing professional.

As we wrap up, think of your essay as a story about your journey into nursing. It's not just about getting a grade; it's a way to share what you've been through and why you want to be a nurse.

Imagine the person reading it – maybe a teacher, a future coworker, or someone starting their nursing journey. They're trying to understand your passion and why you care about nursing.

So, when you write, remember it's more than just an assignment. It's your chance to show why nursing matters to you. And if you ever need help – there's always support from our essay writer online .

Ready to Excel in Your Nursing School Essay?

Order now and experience the expertise of our professional writers!

How to Write a Nursing Essay?

How can a nursing essay effectively address ethical considerations, what are some examples of evidence-based practices in nursing essays.

Daniel Parker

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

nursing traits essay

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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How to Write a Nursing Essay Introduction

by ella | Feb 11, 2024 | Medical and Health

Writing an essay starts with making a good introduction. The introduction helps grab the reader’s attention and explains what the essay will be about. In nursing, it’s important to make your introduction clear, interesting, and related to healthcare. This article will guide you on how to write a nursing essay introduction step by step, making it easier to create a good start to your essay. Through simple tips and explanations, you’ll learn how to catch your reader’s interest and prepare them for what you will discuss in your essay. Introductory Paragraph Definition The introductory paragraph is the first part of your essay that readers see. It’s like a door to your essay. When readers go through it, they get to know what topic you’ll be talking about. This paragraph helps catch readers’ attention and gives them a reason to keep reading. It often starts with something interesting, like a surprising fact or a short story. Then, it briefly explains the topic of your essay. Finally, it states your main point or argument, a thesis statement. The introductory paragraph sets the ground for everything else in your essay, making it crucial for getting your readers interested and understanding what to expect as they read on. How Long Should an Introduction Be? When you write an essay, the introduction is the starting point where you tell your readers what the essay is about. Now, how long should this introduction be? A good rule is to make it about 8% to 9% of your essay’s total words. So, if your essay is 1000 words, the introduction would be around 80 to 90 words long. Why this length? Well, it’s long enough to give your readers a clear idea about your topic and get them interested, but not too long that it gets boring or gives away too much information. It’s just the right length to introduce your topic, grab the reader’s attention, and tell them your main argument, the thesis statement, without diving into the main points you’ll discuss in the rest of the essay. What Makes a Good Introduction A good introduction acts like a map that guides your readers into the main part of your essay. Here’s what makes an introduction good:

Catches Attention: A good introduction starts with something interesting to catch your reader’s attention, like a surprising fact, a question, or a short story.

Introduces the Topic: It tells your readers what the essay is about clearly and simply.

Has a Thesis Statement: A good introduction includes a thesis statement and a clear and strong point or argument you will make in your essay. It tells the reader what to expect as they read on.

Not Too Long or Short: It should be just the right essay length, not too long to lose interest, and not too short to miss important information.

Engaging: It should make your readers want to read more. It’s like inviting them into your essay, making them curious about what comes next.

Clear and to the Point: It should be clear, straightforward, and concise so readers can easily understand what the essay will discuss.

Previews What’s Coming: A good introduction previews what topics or points will be covered in the essay without giving away too much.

What Are the 3 Parts of an Introduction Paragraph? The introduction paragraph is important as it helps the reader understand what your essay will be about. It’s made up of three main parts: Part 1: Essay Hook The essay hook in the introduction of a nursing essay acts as a catalyst to ignite the reader’s curiosity and ensure they continue reading. In nursing, this initial hook carries a particular significance as it provides a window into a field that is as emotionally charged as it is technical.  For instance, in a nursing essay focused on patient care, the hook might take the form of a compelling narrative of a nurse’s experience on a hectic night shift. The activities in a ward, the emotions of patients and their families, and amidst it all, the steadfast presence of a nurse could be the scene set as the hook. This imagery captures the essence of nursing and resonates with the reader, drawing them into the narrative. Similarly, if the essay is geared towards exploring the evolving role of nurses in modern healthcare, the hook could present a stark statistic highlighting the growing responsibilities shouldered by nurses. Through the hook, the readers are not merely observers but become emotionally invested, making the subsequent exploration of the nursing profession deeply engaging and insightful. The 5 Types of Hooks for Writing Here are some simple ways to create a hook in your essay:

A Common Misconception: This is about sharing many people’s false beliefs or misunderstandings and correcting them. Example: “Many believe that nurses only follow doctors’ orders, but they make crucial decisions that impact patient care daily.”

Statistics: Sharing a surprising or interesting number or data related to your topic. Example: “Research shows that nurses spend up to 60% of their time on paperwork, taking them away from patient care.”

Personal Story: Telling a brief story from real life or your own experience that connects to your essay topic. Example: “My sister’s caring nature as a nurse brought comfort to fearful patients, making me realize the emotional impact nurses have.”

Scenes: Painting a picture with words about a certain scene or situation related to your topic. Example: “Imagine a busy hospital ward, nurses swiftly moving from one patient to another, showcasing their ability to multitask and provide personalized care.”

Thesis Statement: Stating the main point or argument of your essay in a clear and precise way. Example: “This essay will delve into the indispensable role of nurses in improving the patient experience and healthcare outcomes.”

Part 2: Connections “Connections” in an introduction represent the bridge between the initial hook and the main topic or thesis of the essay. This section further draws the reader into the central theme by establishing context, relevance, and the importance of the subject. It ensures the reader isn’t left hanging after the hook, making the transition smoother. In nursing essays, connections might explore why a particular misconception, statistic, or story (from the hook) is significant to the broader world of nursing or healthcare. For example, suppose the hook was a statistic about the number of hours nurses spend with patients. In that case, the connection might discuss the significance of nurse-patient interactions, how they are at the heart of patient care, or how they can significantly influence a patient’s recovery and overall hospital experience. In essence, the “connections” part links the specific instance or fact from the hook to the broader implications or themes you’re about to explore in your essay, ensuring the reader understands why what they’re about to read matters. Part 3: The Thesis Statement The thesis statement is the most important part of an introduction paragraph. It is usually the last sentence of the introduction. The thesis statement clearly states the main idea or argument of the entire essay in one concise sentence. It answers the prompt or question asked in the assignment.  The thesis sets up the entire essay by establishing the focus and purpose of the writing. A good thesis statement is clear, focused, take a stand or position, and can be supported by evidence. The rest of the essay will provide details, facts, arguments, and evidence that support the thesis statement.  The thesis gives the essay direction and focus. The thesis statement must be narrow enough to fully cover the essay but broad enough for analysis and discussion. The reader should finish the introduction paragraph understanding exactly what the essay will be about based on the thesis statement. Steps to Write an Essay Introduction Here are the steps to write an effective nursing essay introduction: Step 1. Engage Your Reader The opening sentence or “hook” of an introduction paragraph grabs the reader’s attention. A strong hook makes the reader interested and want to keep reading. Here are some tips for engaging the reader right from the start:

Ask a thought-provoking question

Use an interesting, shocking, or intriguing statistic

Open with a relevant quotation, anecdote, fact, news story, vivid description, or definition

Create a conversation, scenario, or narrative to draw the reader in

Use humor, irony, or an unusual perspective to surprise the reader

The goal is to create curiosity, emotion, and connection immediately so the reader feels invested. An engaging hook gives a reason to care about the topic and hooks the reader into wanting to read more. After an attention-grabbing beginning sentence, the introduction can provide context and background to transition smoothly into the essay’s main argument. But a strong, thoughtful hook comes first to capture interest and attention. Step 2. Give Background Information After grabbing the reader’s attention with an opening hook, the next step is to give some context and background information about the essay’s topic. The background should be brief but informative, helping the reader understand the topic and its significance.  The background information should be connected to and help frame the essay’s main argument. It allows the writer to define key terms, frame the scope, provide historical context, or share social/political background before transitioning to the essay’s thesis.  The goal is to orient the reader without overloading them with too many details at the start. A few concise but meaningful sentences of background can set the stage before delivering the essay’s central argument in the thesis statement. Step 3. Expose Your Thesis Statement The thesis statement is the most integral part of an introduction. It comes at the end of the intro paragraph and establishes the essay’s central argument or main point. The thesis directly responds to the prompt or question posed in the assignment. It lays out the essay’s key position and focus in one concise, declarative statement. All the background information should lead up to and frame this thesis. This thesis takes a clear stand while summarizing the main argument. The rest of the essay will provide evidence and analysis to support and develop this position. The thesis statement gives the reader insight into the essay’s purpose and direction. It must be argumentative, focused, and thoughtful – a signpost for the essay’s content. With an engaging hook, informative background, and clear thesis statement, an introduction orients readers and sets an essay up for success. Step 4. Draft Your Essay Structure After writing a solid thesis statement, the next step is to map out the main points supporting and developing that central argument throughout the essay. Planning the basic structure gives the writer a logical progression and flow for the essay’s body paragraphs. For example, each body paragraph could contain a major reason why the thesis is true. Drafting a basic outline ensures the essay will thoroughly explain the thesis. The structure provides organization and direction. While the outline may change as the essay develops, having a planned structure guides the writer. The introduction doesn’t need to preview the full outline, but the thesis should directly lead to the topics of the body paragraphs. This continuity reinforces the central argument and establishes the logical support and analysis to validate the essay’s claim. Step 5. Revise After drafting the introduction paragraph, including an opening hook, background information, thesis statement, and outline, the next step is to revise. Revising allows the writer to strengthen and refine the introduction. Here are tips for revising an essay introduction:

Make sure the hook immediately draws in the reader.

Check that background info is brief but informative. Cut unimportant details.

Read the thesis statement carefully. Is it clear, focused, arguable, and well-written?

Ensure the thesis directly answers the prompt or assignment question.

Review that the essay outline logically flows from the thesis.

Check for varied sentence structure and smooth transitions between sentences.

Ensure the introduction is written in the student’s original, unique voice.

Ask – does this intro give the reader essential context and clearly state the essay’s central argument?

Revising the introduction allows the writer to catch any underdeveloped, awkward, or unclear areas. Refining the intro before writing the full essay ensures the foundation is established to convince readers of the thesis logically. Catchy Introductions for Different Essay Types Here are some examples of writing catchy introductions tailored to different essay types: Narrative Introduction The lights were bright and the room was freezing. I could hear the muffled cries of the two-day-old infant in the incubator beside me as I carefully calculated the dosage. This was my first time administering medication on the job as a nursing student in the NICU. I knew neonatal nursing would be challenging, but I realized in that moment it would also reshape my perspective.

The fragility of life was tangible, yet amidst wires and monitors, there was hope. This experience taught me that something as small as an injection has the power to heal and comfort. My nursing journey began with that first nervous med pass late one night in the NICU, starting me on a path I could not yet fully envision. This introduction establishes the narrative scene while hinting at the insights explored in the essay. The hook places the reader in the story while introducing the reflective tone and theme. The background about starting nursing school and working in the intensive care unit provides context. The thesis hints at a transformative experience that led to a new understanding, setting up the reflective narrative about this memory’s significance. The introduction draws readers into the moment while establishing the personal growth narrative to come. Analytical Introduction The current nursing shortage in the United States has reached critical levels, with the deficit of registered nurses projected to exceed 500,000 by 2025. This shortage impacts healthcare facilities nationwide, diminishing the quality of care and patient outcomes. While an aging workforce and increased healthcare demands contribute to the problem, the root causes are unsatisfactory working environments, leading to high turnover rates.

Inadequate staffing ratios, lack of leadership support, workplace violence, and burnout exacerbate nurse shortages. However, developing effective retention strategies to improve modifiable workplace factors could help healthcare organizations recruit and retain qualified nurses. Targeted interventions to empower nurses and cultivate supportive, collaborative environments will be essential to overcoming the nursing shortage crisis. This introduction establishes the nursing shortage problem and notes some surface-level contributing factors. The thesis then points to underlying workplace environment issues as the root causes. This analytical stance sets the essay to examine these modifiable factors and the solutions they highlight rather than just describing the problem. The introduction primes readers for an analytical discussion on empowering nursing workplace improvements. Persuasive Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed cracks in the foundation of the United States healthcare system. Addressing the longstanding nurse staffing crisis has become urgent as nurses comprise the largest segment of the health workforce. For decades, research has shown inadequate nurse staffing increases patient and nurse risks. However, hospitals and legislators have delayed mandating minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. With recent data revealing up to 20% of nurses plan to leave their positions, safe staffing levels are imperative.

Implementing minimum staffing ratios in every unit, improving work environments, and increasing wages can retain experienced nurses, attract new nurses, and ensure safe patient care. Now is the time to persuade lawmakers and healthcare administrators to enact evidence-based nurse staffing ratio legislation. Doing so will strengthen nursing, prevent future gaps in care, and ultimately save lives. This introduction uses the COVID-19 pandemic context to establish the urgent need for minimum staffing ratios. It references past research and alarming turnover data to highlight the significance of the problem. This leads to the thesis advocating minimum ratio legislation to improve staffing conditions and nurse retention. The intro generates urgency while summarizing the persuasive argument to come – that evidence shows implementing specific nurse staffing reforms will strengthen healthcare. Personal Introduction I remember the sterile smell of the hospital hallway as I walked into my patient’s room for the first time. As a nursing student, I had prepared extensively for this initial clinical rotation. I had memorized lab values, medications, and procedures. Yet textbook knowledge could not prepare me for the wave of nerves I felt seeing my patient lying in the stark, white hospital bed. She looked weary and frail. This was no rubber dummy I had practiced on. This was a living, breathing human who needed my care.

My textbook training came second to forging a true human connection at that moment. Sitting beside her, I listened as she shared her story, goals, and worries. The beeping monitors faded, and I saw her as so much more than a diagnosis. My first clinical rotation taught me that treating patients extends beyond treating their illnesses. In nursing, empathy and compassion for humanity manifest as acts of care. This personal nursing essay introduction draws readers into a poignant clinical scene. It sets up the student’s transition from textbook knowledge to human understanding. The vivid details and reflections establish the introspective tone and theme focused on compassion in nursing care. Tips for Writing a Winning Introduction Paragraph Here are some tips for writing an effective introduction paragraph that grabs attention and sets the stage for the essay:

Start with a strong, thought-provoking hook. Open with an interesting fact, statistic, question, an essay quote, anecdote, vivid description, etc.

Provide brief but valuable context and background on the topic. Define key terms and give relevant historical or social framing.

Build a smooth transition from the background to the specific focus of the essay. Use transitional phrases like “In light of this…”

State the thesis clearly and directly. Present the central argument or position in a concise, one-sentence statement.

Ensure the thesis responds to the prompt and launches the essay’s body.

Structure the introduction logically, moving from a broad to an increasingly narrow focus.

Engage the reader’s interest while also communicating the essay’s purpose.

Revise thoroughly to refine language, improve flow, and bolster impact.

An effective introduction grabs attention, provides a framework, presents a compelling thesis, and primes readers for future discussion. Crafting a thoughtful, polished introduction can get any essay off to a winning start. Final Thoughts The introduction of your nursing essay is your chance to grab the reader’s attention, provide insight into your chosen topic, and set the stage for the following discussion. It’s crucial to nail this part to make a compelling first impression. However, it’s a common struggle for many nursing students to pen down an engaging introduction amidst demanding academic and practical schedules. Struggling to Start Your Nursing Essay? Kickstart your nursing essay with an introduction that resonates. Click Here to Secure a Strong Start with Our Expert Assistance! Let us pave the way for your academic achievements.

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Nursing Essay Examples

Cathy A.

Nursing Essay Examples That Will Help You Write a Stellar Paper

Published on: May 6, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

nursing essay examples

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Many nursing students struggle with writing effective nursing essays, which are an essential part of their education and professional development.

Poor essay writing skills can lead to low grades and an inability to effectively communicate important information.

This blog provides a comprehensive guide to writing nursing essays with examples and tips for effective writing. Whether you are a nursing student or a professional looking to improve your writing skills, this blog has something for you. 

By following the tips and examples provided, you can write compelling nursing essays that showcase your dedication to the field.

Let’s get started.

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What is a Nursing Essay?

A nursing essay is a type of academic writing that aims to explore a particular topic related to nursing. It also presents a clear and concise argument or viewpoint supported by evidence. 

Nursing essays can take many forms, including:

  • Descriptive essays
  • Reflective essays
  • Analytical essays
  • Persuasive essays

What is the Importance of the Nursing Essay?

Nursing essays are important for several reasons. First, they help nursing students develop critical thinking skills by requiring them to analyze and evaluate information.

Second, they help students develop research skills by requiring them to locate and use credible sources to support their arguments. 

Third, nursing essays help students develop communication skills by requiring them to present their ideas clearly and concisely in writing. Finally, nursing essays are important for nursing education because they prepare students for the types of writing.

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To help students better understand how to write nursing essays, it can be helpful to review examples.

Below are some examples of nursing essays.

Nursing School Essay Examples

College Nursing Essay Examples

Graduate Nursing Essay Examples

Nursing Scholarship Essay Examples

Nursing Essay Conclusion Examples

Nursing Essay Examples of Different Fields

Nursing is a diverse field with many different specialties and areas of focus. As a result, nursing essays can take many different forms and cover a wide range of topics. 

Given below are some examples of different types of nursing essays:

Personal Philosophy Of Nursing - Essay Examples

Cal State Fullerton Nursing Essay Examples

Evidence Based Practice Nursing In Medical Field - Essay Examples

Leadership In Nursing And Healthcare Professionals - Essay Examples

Principles Of Professional Practice Of Nursing Professionals And Pharmacists

If you're seeking additional examples of nursing essays, you're in luck! 

Below are some more examples that can help you gain a better understanding of nursing essays:

Health Care And Reflective Models For Nursing - Essay Examples

History Of Nursing Essay Examples

Ethical Dilemma In Nurses Work - Essay Examples

Mental Health Nursing Essay Examples

Why I Want To Be A Nurse Essay

Working In A Team And Collaboration In Nursing

How to Write a Nursing Essay

Writing a nursing essay can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding experience.

Here are the key steps involved in writing a nursing essay:

Understanding the Topic and Question

The first step in writing a nursing essay is to carefully read and understand the topic and question. 

This will help you determine what information you need to research and include in your essay. Make sure you understand any key terms or concepts related to the topic. Consider different perspectives or viewpoints that may be relevant.

Researching the Topic

Once you have a clear understanding of the topic and question, it's time to research. 

Start by gathering information from credible sources such as academic journals, textbooks, and government websites. 

Consider both primary and secondary sources, and make sure to take detailed notes as you read.

Organizing and Outlining the Essay

Once you have completed your research, it's time to organize your ideas and create an outline for your essay. 

Start by identifying the main points or arguments you want to make, and then organize them into a logical order that flows well. 

Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Writing the Essay

With your outline in place, it's time to start writing your essay. Make sure to follow your outline closely, and use clear and concise language that effectively communicates your ideas. 

Use evidence from your research to support your arguments, and cite your sources appropriately.

Editing and Revising the Essay

Once you have completed a first draft of your essay, take some time to edit and revise it. Look for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation, and make sure your essay is well-organized and flows well. 

Consider asking a peer or instructor to review your essay and provide feedback.

What To Include In Your Nursing Essay

When writing a nursing essay, there are several key elements that you should include. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

  • Introduction

Your introduction should provide a brief overview of the topic and purpose of your essay. It should also include a clear thesis statement that presents your main argument or point of view.

  • Background Information

Provide some background information on the topic to help the reader better understand the context of your essay. This can include relevant statistics, historical information, or other contextual details.

  • Evidence and Examples

Use evidence and examples from your research to support your arguments and demonstrate your knowledge of the topic. Make sure to cite your sources appropriately and use a variety of sources to strengthen your argument.

  • Analysis and Evaluation

Provide analysis and evaluation of the evidence and examples you've presented. This can include discussing strengths and weaknesses, comparing and contrasting different viewpoints, or offering your own perspective on the topic.

Your conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement. It should also offer some final thoughts or suggestions for further research or action.

Nursing Essay Topic Ideas

Choosing a topic for your nursing essay can be challenging, but there are many areas in the field that you can explore. Here are some nursing essay topic ideas to consider:

  • The role of technology in nursing practice
  • The impact of cultural diversity on healthcare delivery
  • Nursing leadership and management in healthcare organizations
  • Ethical issues in nursing practice
  • The importance of patient-centered care in nursing practice
  • The impact of evidence-based practice on nursing care
  • The role of nursing in promoting public health
  • Nursing education and the importance of lifelong learning
  • The impact of nursing shortages on healthcare delivery
  • The importance of communication in nursing practice

These are just a few ideas to get you started. You can also explore other topics related to nursing that interest you or align with your academic or professional goals. 

Remember to choose a topic that is relevant, interesting, and feasible to research and write about.

Tips for Writing an Effective Nursing Essay

Writing a successful nursing essay requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you write an effective nursing essay:

  • Writing Concisely and Clearly

Nursing essays should be written in clear and concise language, avoiding unnecessary jargon or technical terms. Use simple language and short sentences to help ensure that your ideas are communicated clearly and effectively.

  • Stating a Clear Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement should clearly state your main argument and provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and located at the end of your introduction.

  • Using Proper Citation and Referencing

Citing and referencing your sources is crucial in any academic writing, including nursing essays. Make sure to use proper citation and referencing styles, such as APA or MLA. Include a reference list or bibliography at the end of your essay.

  • Seeking Feedback and Revising

Before submitting your nursing essay, seek feedback from peers, professors, or writing tutors. Use their feedback to revise and improve your essay. Make sure that it is well-structured, coherent, and effectively communicates your point of view.

By following these tips, you can write a nursing essay that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the field.

In conclusion, writing a successful nursing essay requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail. 

To showcase your knowledge in the field of nursing, it is important to have a clear understanding of the topic at hand. When writing your nursing essay, be sure to include relevant examples, incorporate current research, and use proper citation and referencing. 

And remember , seeking feedback and revising your essay is key to ensuring that it effectively communicates your ideas and arguments.

If you need help with your nursing essay or any other type of academic writing, consider using our AI essay writer . 

Our nursing essay writing service can provide personalized support to help you succeed in your academic goals.

So, why wait? Contact us to get college essay writing help today! 

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nursing traits essay

Personal Nursing Experience and Traits Development Self Evaluation Essay

Introduction, personality traits (courteousness and humility), empathy and fearlessness, my plan for overcoming negative effects.

Nursing is a form of vocation that needs specialized knowledge, skills, and adequate preparation. From my past personal experiences in life, I learned vital lessons that I believe will assist me to interact appropriately with patients/clients. This paper discusses my life experiences and how I developed them prior to nursing/healthcare as the chosen profession. Additionally, it illuminates how those issues may help (positive) or hinder (negative) my future relationships with patients.

The discussion presents personal reflections in life and their importance to my future career as a nurse, my future relationship with clients, and the merits as well as the inconveniences that are bound to occur to me through this interaction. Moreover, it presents the different ways (plan for overcoming negative effects) through which I will be able to handle the situation or enhance my relationships with clients.

Personally, I previously developed several personality traits prior to my profession as a healthcare practitioner. It is crucial to note that these traits will influence my future relationships with clients in a positive manner. When I was still young, I developed the aspects of courteousness and humility.

I had been interacting with sick people at home. Additionally, my personal interactions with people suffering from different illnesses helped me to develop the mentioned personality traits. I realized that sick people need some exemplary courtesy and humility for their psychological well-being. Having realized this provision at a personal level, I vowed to remain polite and humble to patients regardless of the nature of their illnesses.

Evidently, these will assume prominent roles in shaping my ambitions for the nursing profession in the future. For example, most of the sick persons I previously met were terminally ill and always viewed life pessimistically. I indulged positively in their lives and gave them hope as well as encouragement.

These helped me to develop some aspects of courteousness and humility as indicated earlier. Such initiatives have inculcated in me the senses of empathy and sympathy, counseling as well as guidance. I believe that in the future as a practicing nurse, I will be able to enhance these skills through training and real-time experiences.

These traits will also enhance my key competencies as a future professional nurse. Agreeably, handling anxieties from patients as well as from his family’s side had been the most tasking event. In this context, I believe my personal nature as a polite and humble person will enhance my effective performance and client relationship. Additionally, my religious values have enhanced my humility and politeness. From the struggles I underwent during my growth, I shall come to relate well and professionally with all my clients.

I shall also appreciate the role of counseling in nursing care to all my clients. Based on these traits, my interactions with clients will be focused more on finding and analysis of their route problems, respect for their decisions as well as consultations with their family members.

Having developed such personal traits previously, I shall be able to enhance and integrate courtesy, humility, and counseling skills into my relationship with the clients. This initiative shall also assist clients to note and cope with distressful psychological and social challenges. Moreover, it shall help to develop and enhance their interpersonal associations.

Additionally, I will be able to focus on assisting clients to adopt novel attitudes, positive feelings as well as constructive behaviors. It is apparent that the ability of a client to consider alternative behaviors and identify options helps them to develop their sense of logic or control (Kim, 2010). I have noticed the urge to transform the systems within healthcare-providing institutions to be able to accommodate the clients’ needs in the future.

There are core attributes and traits that all nurses must have to professionally practice. Previously, there are some conditions that forced me to develop courage and empathy towards sick people. Luckily, I formerly interacted with several patients as well as their family members, an instance that enabled me to adopt critical lesions within the nursing process. For example, I come across a critical road accident, which left several casualties grieving in agony, pain, and despair.

Several passengers had died instantly while others were to be ferried to the hospital to save their lives. Since there were no specialized people to help, the few witnesses who were present (including myself) had to participate and save the lives of the casualties despite the condition. Having developed some empathy and ethics, I had to be courageous to help in the situation. This indicates how I had developed and realized the importance of empathy, ethics, and boldness in the clinical context.

In essence, these form some of the basic elements within nursing care. Compliance and practice of the basic professional code of ethics, empathy, and courage within nursing is an important recipe for the effective nurse-client association. For example, a typical instance of the relationship between a nurse and a terminally ill patient is critical.

Another instance that made me develop empathy, morals, and courage in the clinical context is my personal interaction with a terminally ill cancer patient. Respect and courtesy that I developed over time formed important attributes towards effective relationships with patients. From these virtues (previously developed), I shall be able to respect the existence and rights of patients.

For example, upholding the health standard of patients, respecting their humanity and existence are critical. The interchanging nursing roles require more flexibility and open mindedness. This is because one is not meant to entirely deal with a particular type of client with a specific illness or health deformity.

Consequently, I believe my noble experiences will play a critical role in enhancing my relationships with clients as a nurse. Since I will be working in a hospital environment, I will be meeting with clients who are tensed and anxious regarding the status of their health. Moreover, I am also aware that I will not just be interacting with the patients but also family members or caretakers to the sick person. Empathy, courage, humility, patience, close contact as well as courtesy and love are vital ingredients for effective relationships between a nurse and the client.

These virtues will enhance my relationships with clients. For example, these are vital attributes that I have come to learn, adopt, and practice due to my daily life interactions at school, home, and other social places. In this respect, it is important to note that nursing involves sacrifice and commitment to healthy living. It forms the main spring board of the nursing practice. Personally, there had been many occasions that these vital nursing attributes were put to test by meeting diverse people in life. I believe that these past experiences will immensely enhance my future interactions with my clients when I become a qualified nurse.

Previously, I was fearful in various aspects. It was impossible for me to visit, touch, or talk to the sick regardless of the condition. I used to think that by doing so, I would contract similar ailments. This was a prejudicial reasoning. Its continuity could ruin the affectivity of my participation as a professional nurse. I could not take time to counsel and listen to the patients’ grievances.

Additionally, due to fear, I could not comprehend that the hospital or healthcare providers have capitalized mostly on clinical conditions, treatments, and also recognizing the psychological and social implications of clients. Fear has proved to be a potential barrier towards effective interactions with sick patients. Most health practitioners might not be able to practice their mandates due to fear and other negative provisions. As a result, they will not address the problems or concerns of their clients.

For example, it is observable that fear among nurses has led to several implications on the nurse-client relationship. As a result, the interactions become compromised due to apprehension. This is applicable from my past experience. The situation interferes grossly with the client-nurse interaction. Approach, active listening, counseling, empathy, and giving pieces of informed advice do not adequately occur in such scenarios.

The health status of the client is a vital consideration in effective interactions between the client and the nurse. For example, it is obvious that not much of interactions can occur between a harshly ill client and the nurse due to fear. This is basically due to physical incapability and the need for prompt medical attention.

The negative effects of fear and other provisions mentioned earlier can be alleviated through various means. As a future professional nurse, my interactions with diverse clients and personalities will enable me learn critical lessons that will assist me in dealing professionally with diverse patients within different contexts (Chism, 2013).

For that matter, undertaking relevant studies on the matter will help considerably. The lessons will be critical since I will be able to brainstorm on more rationale ways of handling the observed negative effects. Foremost, I will learn to ultimately observe the notable nursing roles as well as professional ethics. Assuming the roles of a teacher can equally help (Kim, 2010). This attribute will offer information that might assist clients to learn and obtain novel coping skills.

Adequate education will assist in compliance to the prescribed medication, enhance healthy lifestyles, instill ethics, thwart fear, and provide fundamental information to the health practitioners.

Another plan helpful in overcoming the mentioned negative effects is to pay attention to clients’ grievances in order to articulate and communicate their feelings. Being a change agent as a future nurse is critical in enhancing such roles (Freshwater, 2002). The ability to evaluate care as well as personnel enables the nurse to set up appropriate systems for effective client –nurse relationship or interaction.

My previous experiences allowed me to develop personal traits including empathy, humility, courage, politeness, courteousness, and other positive virtues that will enhance my future interaction with clients in the clinical realms. Negative factors like fear are devastating to the nursing career; nonetheless, it is possible to develop a plan that will help in overcoming their off-putting effects. The daily life experiences will enhance my skills, develop my problem resolution competencies, and also transform my career ambitions.

Chism, L. (2013). The doctor of nursing practice: A guidebook for role development and professional issues . Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Freshwater, D. (2002). Therapeutic nursing: Improving patient care through self awareness and reflection . London: SAGE.

Kim, H. (2010). The nature of theoretical thinking in nursing . New York: Springer Pub.Co.

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120+ Fresh Nursing Essay Topics (With FAQs and Essay Writing Tips)

nursing essay topics

Be it writing a nursing assignment or preparing an essay to get admission to a nursing school, choosing the right nursing essay topic is of utmost importance.

An essay can make or break your chance of getting into that school or your chances of scoring the highest in the assignment.

Considering the importance of nursing essays, we have got you some handpicked nursing essay topics that will help you ace the exams.

The article is divided into 3 sections according to the difficulty level. You can opt for them according to your convenience.

You’ll also find an interesting list of topics in the miscellaneous section. So make sure to check that as well.

The following part of the article includes some tips on framing a well-structured essay.

 Basic Level Nursing Essay Topics

  • Describe the role of nurses in society.
  • What are nursing ethics?
  • According to you, what are the challenges associated with nursing?
  • Discuss nursing ethics.
  • Importance of nursing care for infants.
  • What are the possible reasons behind a fewer number of male nurses?
  • Throw some light on nurses’ practice act.
  • Why is there a need for significant leadership in nursing?
  • What are the steps you need to take to cure minor wounds?
  • What are the steps you need to take to cure severe wounds?
  • Discuss the steps that nurses should take to deal with hyperactive patients and their relatives?
  • Are there any differences faced by nurses as compared to doctors when it comes to respect and value?
  • What measures can nurses take to cure serious wounds when not having any instruments?
  • What steps can nurses take to deal with patients in backward regions, where there is a lack of medical infrastructure?
  • Analyze the problems with medical infrastructure.
  • How to strengthen medical infrastructure?
  • How to perform home nursing?
  • Steps to improve mental health.
  • Discuss the pitfalls of dieting.
  • Importance of technology in nursing.

Moderate Level Nursing Essay Topics

  • Throw some light on holistic nursing.
  • Should we allow nurses to prescribe medication or antibiotics?
  • Discuss the risks associated with nurses prescribing medication?
  • Discuss the problems associated with the compensation of nursing jobs.
  • How should nurses deal with abusive or rude patients?
  • How can civilians be helpful to nurses in treating their patients?
  • Infant mortality and its possible causes.
  • How to prepare a nursing resume to apply for a job?
  • Mental impact on nurses.
  • Basic theories to apply in nursing.
  • Nursing in India: from struggle to victory.
  • Soft skills required in nursing.
  • Reasons to choose nursing as a profession.
  • How to teach nursing?
  • How to deal with depression being a nurse.
  • How to deal with patients with dementia initially?
  • What efforts should be made to make patients’ stay in neonatal units more pleasant?
  • Legalizing euthanasia.
  • Importance of midwifery. Is it underestimated?
  • How can we help pharmacies strike a balance between helping the patients and earning a profit?

Advanced Level Nursing Essay Topics

  • Significance of psychological training to ensure efficient medical working.
  • Has covid-19 impacted the chances of nursing being a chosen profession?
  • How to avoid hospitalization in covid-19?
  • Measure to enhance the efficiency of nurses as assistants of doctors.
  • What can nurses do to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease?
  • Express your views on applying Henderson’s principles in the nursing area.
  • How to convince people to donate organs?
  • Chronic diseases and covid-19 pandemic.
  • Discuss pediatric ethics.
  • Explain acute coronary syndrome.
  • Explain the cause behind anxiety disorders.
  • Write on obesity and weight management programs.
  • What precautions should be taken in the postnatal period?
  • Dealing with gestational weight gain challenges.
  • Precautions to be taken pre and post-delivery.
  • Joint disorders study in elderly people.
  • What are geriatrics ethics?
  • Menarche and menopause challenges and symptoms.
  • Explain reproductive endocrinology.
  • Therapeutic injections: pros and cons.

List of Nursing Argumentative Essay Topics

  • Are nurses more vulnerable to health risks than doctors?
  • How does the increased number of working hours impact the working of nurses?
  • Is nursing a female-centric profession?
  • How important is the role of a nurse when compared with that of a doctor?
  • Difference in the salary paid to day shift nurses vs. night shift nurses
  • What should be the adequate amount of nursing staff to have in a hospital?
  • Should more emphasis be laid on home nursing?
  • How is racial discrimination a problem in nursing?
  • Are nurses more empathetic than doctors?
  • How important is it for a nurse to work on her emotions?

Miscellaneous Topics for Students Nursing Research

  • Nursing Theory: 
  • Nursing theory history and significance
  • Strategies for theory construction in nursing
  • Nursing theory vs. nursing practice
  • Person-centered nursing: theory and practice
  • Areas of agreement in nursing theory development
  • Nursing Education:
  • Critical thinking in nursing education : Literature review
  • Future challenges for nursing education
  • Curriculum development in nursing education
  • New nursing education structure in US/UK/Asia
  • Creating innovative models of clinical nursing education
  • Nursing Care: 
  • Transcultural concepts in nursing care
  • Basic principles of nursing care
  • Factors influencing why nursing care is missed
  • Measuring patients’ satisfaction with nursing care
  • Spiritual nursing care: state of the art
  • Pharmacology for nursing care
  • Nursing Interventions:
  • The systematic development of nursing interventions
  • The impact of nursing interventions
  • Nursing interventions for smoking cessation
  • Nursing interventions for patients with chronic conditions
  • Nursing interventions for premature infants
  • Nursing interventions to promote functional feeding
  • Nursing Homes:
  • Nursing homes in developed and developing nations: a comparison
  • Characteristics of nursing homes that affect resident outcomes
  • Infections among patients in nursing homes
  • Nursing homes and COVID‐19: What has changed?
  • Abuse of patients in nursing homes
  • Family involvement in nursing homes
  • Nursing Leadership 
  • Factors contributing to nursing leadership
  • Nursing leadership and patient outcomes
  • Leadership and management in nursing
  • Transformational leadership in nursing
  • ethical leadership in nursing
  • Nursing Diagnosis:
  • Nursing diagnosis process and it’s relation with critical thinking skills
  • Application of nursing process and nursing diagnosis
  • Do staff nurses use nursing diagnosis effectively?
  • Methods to validate nursing diagnoses
  • Accuracy of nursing diagnoses: How effective are they?
  • Nurse Burnout:
  • Nurse burnout and quality of care
  • Nurse burnout: personal and environmental factors
  • Impact of nurse burnout on organization
  • Predictors of burnout among nurses in US, UK, India
  • Pediatric nurse burnout
  • Nurse Staffing: 
  • Nurse staffing and inpatient hospital mortality
  • Hospital nurse staffing and quality of care
  • Nurse Patient Ratios
  • The effects of nurse staffing on medical costs
  • Nurse staffing in critical care and how it affects patient outcome
  • Nurse Practitioner Role
  • Barriers to developing nurse practitioner role
  • Analyze nurse practitioner role in acute care settings
  • How case-study research can better implement nurse practitioner role
  • Practice and clinical leadership: The core role of the nurse practitioner
  • Neonatal nurse practitioner role
  • 200+ Great Ideas of Nursing Research Topics to Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do you start writing a nursing essay.

The following section includes some tips on how to write a well-curated nursing essay.

  • Plan your essay- you need to have a well-planned outline of the essay to write an outstanding one.

Spend a good amount of time in research and shortlist the things that you would want to include, things that you would want to highlight or your personal story if any.

  • Start writing- Start your essay with a statement that is catchy and strong. Include an adequate amount of research and evidence to support your point in the body. End it with a conclusion stating a summary of the essay.
  • Revision- go through the content and look for grammatical or spelling errors, if any. Focus on the structure of the essay.

2. List tips on how to write a nursing school application essay.

  • Focus on being informative- while framing the essay, be mindful of the information you include. Make sure it is backed by some evidence.
  • Select the best essay topic- go for such a topic that makes the officers remember you after they have read the essay. At the same time, make sure you are comfortable writing on it.
  • Check the structure- the essay should be divided into 3 parts- introduction, body and conclusion. Make it readable and easy to understand.

To sum it up, when you kick-start writing a research paper, make sure you move ahead step-by-step.

Since research is the first step in writing the essay, you first have to gather all the essential list of information that is relevant to your nursing essay topic.

Next, handpick the information and come up with an essay that is well-curated and backed by evidence.

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nursing traits essay

High ratings for nursing homes may not give full story about care problems, deaths

nursing traits essay

Howard Mahan often pauses to admire the portrait of his wife, Karen, on the wall in the hallway of his Spokane, Washington, home.

A soft light hangs above the photo, brightening his bride’s already brilliant smile.

“It’s really a good picture of her, and she was gorgeous in it,” he said of the blue-eyed grandmother of six, pictured with short, blond hair.

Howard, who was married to Karen for more than 50 years, first displayed the enlarged photo at his wife’s memorial service.

The retired longtime teacher who enjoyed traveling died in 2022 after choking to death at her Spokane nursing home, Touchmark on South Hill.

“I’m very angry because I should still have a wife,” said Howard Mahan in an interview with Scripps News in early November 2023.

Karen and Howard Mahan smiling at each other.

An inspection report obtained by Scripps News, which does not include names but matches the details provided by Mahan, says staff left a resident unsupervised while eating a sandwich, and when caregivers later discovered her slumped over with a pulse, no one called 911 for help.

“They knew the protocols. They were documented,” Mahan said. “They made some efforts to try to revive her, but they should have called 911.”

Karen’s physical condition made it difficult for her to swallow food, so she had a previously established medical care plan that was supposed to ensure that caregivers would monitor her while she was eating.

But according to the inspection report, the facility “failed to provide the level of supervision necessary,” “failed to provide all interventions necessary,” and “placed additional residents at risk for aspiration, choking, and death.”

“My goal is to let the public ... be aware of the fact that they’re not getting the five-star care that they believe they’re getting,” Mahan told Scripps News after he filed a lawsuit but before he agreed to a legal settlement with Touchmark.

In court filings, the nursing home disputed that its negligence may have led to Karen’s death. It claimed that staff saw her after she finished eating and “she was fine” about 10 minutes before another staff member found her slumped over.

A spokesperson for the nursing home told Scripps News the “safety of all residents has been Touchmark’s top priority.”

What do 5 stars mean?

Karen Mahan moved into Touchmark on South Hill in 2017 following two strokes, according to her husband, who is now in his 90s.

“She needed care. She was confined to a wheelchair. I was not a young person at that time, and I couldn’t provide all of the care that she needed,” Howard Mahan said.

He chose the facility based on positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

“Up until Karen’s death, it was a good place,” he said. “She loved it. She liked it. She liked the caregivers there. They liked her.”

Scripps News discovered the word-of-mouth reviews at the time also matched the federal government’s formal assessment of the facility.

When Karen moved in, Touchmark on South Hill had achieved the federal government’s highest overall quality assessment score, a 5 out of 5, in the Five-Star Quality Rating System established and utilized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS.

The agency assigns an overall rating based on a nursing home’s health inspections, a quality-of-care assessment and a staffing evaluation.

The overall rating, according to CMS, may be used by consumers to compare nursing homes. They can find the rating online using the government’s Care Compare tool .

“Nursing homes with 5 stars are considered to have much above average quality and nursing homes with 1 star are considered to have quality much below average,” according to the government’s CMS website .

A Scripps News analysis of more than 14,000 nursing homes found hundreds of nursing homes, however, continue to maintain or display high ratings despite also being found to have had a serious incident at their facility, known as an “immediate jeopardy” incident, in the previous three years.

Immediate jeopardy incidents are those in which a facility is found by government inspectors to be noncompliant with federal health and safety standards, putting residents at risk of death or injury, as in the case of Karen Mahan.

However, not all cases of immediate jeopardy involve incidents as severe as a death, and many nursing homes take quick action to correct the problem and come into compliance to avoid losing government funding through CMS.

In Karen’s case, Touchmark on South Hill implemented corrective measures and continued to maintain an overall top federal rating of 5 stars for nearly seven months following Karen’s death.

Other problems in the facility where Karen Mahan lived — months after her death — eventually led the nursing home’s overall rating to drop to its current 3-star rating.

An August 2023 health inspection report found 13 deficiencies ranging from failing to provide and implement an infection control program to failing to ensure that residents are “free from significant medication errors.”

Hundreds of top-rated homes have past “immediate jeopardy” findings

At least 247 nursing homes had 4-star or 5-star ratings despite also being found to have had at least one immediate jeopardy incident in the previous three years, according to government data from February 2024 analyzed by Scripps News.

Scripps News found other examples of cases like this.

In Pennsylvania, an elderly woman froze to death outside her nursing home in 2021 after staff failed to notice she was missing. Despite a finding of immediate jeopardy, the facility continued to maintain a 5-star rating for more than a year following the incident before dipping to 4 stars for three months and then returning to 5.

In Minnesota, a facility maintained a 5-star rating for more than a year after a resident slipped out of the facility in 2021, purchased a knife and killed himself. The facility then sank to a 4-star rating for several months before returning to 5.

A 5-star home could be 1-star in another state

Scripps News discovered the method by which the federal government assigns ratings to nursing homes is not uniform across state lines.

Even with the same health inspection findings, a nursing home that has a 5-star rating in one state could be rated much lower in a different part of the country. That’s because a nursing home’s health inspection rating — the baseline for its overall rating — is assigned based on how its inspection findings compare to other nursing homes in the same state.

According to a Scripps News data analysis, there were 397 nursing homes with 4- and 5-star ratings that could have had just 1 star if they were rated against a different state’s homes.

U.S. senator says several things are wrong with system

“Until we get this star system straightened out, you better not use that as the sole judge of where you ought to put somebody,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. “There are several things wrong with the system.”

For years, Grassley has been pushing for reforms that would improve the country’s nursing home system. He told Scripps News he would like to see more consistency in the way quality of care is measured.

“You could be a 5-star and still have very poor quality of delivery of services to older people,” he said. “If a nursing home is a 5-star, it ought to be the best you can go to, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s in Iowa or Arizona, it ought to be the same quality,” he said.

Sen. Chuck Grassley sits down for an interview

In 2016, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which serves Congressional leaders like Sen. Grassley, audited CMS’s system and recommended that CMS “add information to the Five-Star System that allows consumers to compare nursing homes nationally.”

But CMS did not implement the recommendation.

“It’s important to note that CMS reminded the GAO that the Five-Star Rating already does compare nursing homes nationally,” said Julie Brookhart, a spokesperson for CMS.

There are multiple factors that make up an overall federal star rating, including an evaluation of a facility’s quality, staffing and health inspections. Two of those measures — staffing and quality — are determined using national thresholds, said Brookhart.

However, the health inspection scores that contribute to an overall federal star rating are based on comparisons to other facilities in the same state, she said.

“This is due to variations between states,” she said, "however ... when someone is looking for a nursing home, they are typically looking for one in a particular state (vs. choosing a nursing home from a few or many states). So, using the in-state comparison provides more relevant information about the local conditions for consumers.”

Why the system may not be enough to make a decision

“It’s very hard to make a perfect system,” said Lee Fleisher, the former chief medical officer and director of the Center for Clinical Standards at CMS, who oversaw the star-rating system before he left the agency in 2023.

He advises consumers to look beyond the star rating when assessing whether a nursing home is right for their loved one.

“Something can happen anywhere, especially these days,” he said. “I think it’s important to look if there are recent complaints ... There could be a change in the staff. There could be a change in the leadership. So that, I think, is an important thing for people to think about,” he added, explaining that even great facilities may experience a bad event.

Lee Fleisher, the former chief medical officer and director of the Center for Clinical Standards, walks with Scripps News national investigative correspondent Lori Jane Gliha.

Brookhart echoed the sentiment.

Star ratings may not reflect every individual incident that occurs, she said. “They are a summary of many different data elements to reflect a general level of quality on a scale of 1 to 5.”

Only 1% of nursing homes with high ratings had an immediate jeopardy inspection finding on their most recent inspection cycle, she said. “It is likely that these ... facilities had an isolated issue leading to the [immediate jeopardy] but did not have many other citations that could indicate systemic issues.”

The agency said people who use the star-rating system to compare nursing homes should consider a “range of information” before deciding.

“We recommend individuals contact the nursing home they are considering and talk to the administrator, director of nursing or medical director, and inquire about the type of care they provide and ask questions that are important to them,” Brookhart said.

While Howard Mahan did not rely on the federal star-rating system to select the nursing home for his wife, he said he hopes others will learn from his experiences and do their own research before choosing a place for their loved one.

“I want the word out there,” he said.

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  • Open access
  • Published: 14 May 2024

The relationship between personality traits and happiness: the mediating role of emotional regulation

  • Emad Shdaifat 1 ,
  • Tamadur Shudayfat 2 &
  • Amira Alshowkan 1  

BMC Nursing volume  23 , Article number:  327 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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Understanding the factors contributing to happiness in the nursing profession is essential, particularly considering the high levels of stress associated with the job. This study aimed to explore the role of emotion regulation in mediating the relationship between personality traits and nurses’ happiness.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between personality traits and happiness by examining the mediating role of emotion regulation.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 324 Jordanian and 408 Saudi nurses. Data, including the Big Five personality traits, happiness levels, and measures of emotional regulation, were collected through an online survey. The model’s fit and explanatory capability were verified by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS 3.

In the structural model, agreeableness had a significant effect on happiness, influencing both reappraisal and suppression. Extraversion strongly influences happiness, positively affects reappraisal, and negatively affects suppression. Neuroticism hampers happiness and reappraisal, and has a detrimental effect on suppression. Openness had a positive effect on suppression, whereas consciousness positively affected happiness. Mediation analysis revealed direct effects on happiness, with varying indirect contributions from emotional regulation. Multiple-group analysis revealed no significant differences between Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the association between personality traits and happiness.

The findings emphasize the nuanced effects of agreeableness, extraversion, neuroticism, consciousness, and openness on happiness, mediated by emotional regulation. Implementing specific interventions to improve emotional regulation can increase nurses’ happiness regardless of their personality traits. The lack of significant differences between Jordanian and Saudi nurses implies that these relationships are consistent across cultures, offering valuable information for cross-cultural healthcare interventions.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

Happiness is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, affecting different aspects of life such as performance, health, and social interactions [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Rooted in positive psychology theories, happiness is defined as feelings of joy, prosperity, and contentment, which contribute to personal growth and positive social relationships [ 4 , 5 ]. De-Juanas et al. (2020) describe happiness as a multidimensional concept encompassing autonomy, purpose, and personal growth. Autonomy, the ability to make independent choices, is closely tied to psychological well-being [ 6 ].

The concept of happiness has expanded beyond simply acquiring material possessions. It now incorporates the principles of the self-determination theory, which emphasizes intrinsic goals and the experience of positive emotions [ 7 ]. Cultural influences on happiness and goal pursuit are significant, with each culture shaping its own unique definition and expression of happiness [ 8 ]. Research has consistently linked happiness to better earnings, health, and marital status [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].

Personality traits, particularly the Big Five, significantly influence happiness [ 12 ] Traits like emotional stability, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness correlate with higher life and work satisfaction, strengthening with age. Based on the process model, emotional regulation is seen as a key factor in determining happiness and overall well-being [ 13 , 14 ]. This perspective emphasizes aligning experienced emotions with desired emotions through conscientious efforts [ 15 ].

Nurses working in emotionally demanding environments can greatly benefit from gaining a thorough understanding of their personality traits and emotional regulation strategies, as highlighted by extensive research [ 16 ]. Investigating these connections within different cultural settings, as recommended by previous studies, offers the invaluable insights necessary for the development of effective cross-cultural healthcare interventions.

In summary, the complex relationship among personality traits, emotional regulation, and happiness underscores the importance of understanding personal traits to support well-being. By investigating the mediating role of emotional regulation, this study aimed to explore this relationship among nurses in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Through the lens of emotion regulation, we hope to shed light on how personality traits affect happiness and make a significant contribution to the fields of psychology and healthcare research. Comprehending these relationships is essential, especially in professional environments in which individuals navigate intricate emotional terrains. This research aimed to clarify the processes underlying happiness and emotional regulation (reappraisal and suppression) and offer practical recommendations for improving emotional health in various settings.

figure 1

Conceptual model

Openness has a significant effect on happiness.

Openness has a significant effect on reappraisal.

Reappraisal has a significant effect on happiness.

Openness has a significant effect on suppression.

Extraversion had a significant effect on happiness.

Extraversion had a significant effect on reappraisal.

Extraversion had a significant effect on suppression.

Neuroticism has a significant effect on happiness.

Neuroticism has a significant effect on reappraisal.

Neuroticism has a significant effect on suppression.

Consciousness has a significant effect on happiness.

Consciousness has a significant effect on reappraisal.

Consciousness had a significant effect on suppression.

Agreeableness has a significant effect on happiness.

Agreeableness has a significant effect on reappraisal.

Agreeableness had a significant effect on suppression.

Suppression has a significant effect on happiness.

Personality traits have direct and indirect impacts on happiness through emotional regulation. This study investigated how emotional regulation acts as a mediator between personality traits and happiness. Hypotheses were formulated to reflect these dynamics. Accordingly, the hypotheses were formulated (Fig.  1 ).

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Nursing College of Al al-Bayt University in northern Jordan and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in eastern Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from March to September 2023. This study was conducted as part of a research project to compare the levels of happiness among nurses in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Participants

This study recruited nursing students from our college from the first to the fifth year. To determine the sample size, the G* Power software was used. With an effect size (d) of 0.2, significance level (α) of 0.05, and desired power (1-β) of 0.80, each group required a sample size of 310 based on an allocation ratio of 1. Consequently, the total sample size of this study was 620.

Data collection tools

Three instruments were used in the study. First, the Big Five Personality Questionnaire, which employs the 44-item short version of the Big Five Inventory, uses a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) to evaluate subjects’ personalities across five subscales: Consciousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Openness, and Neuroticism [ 17 ]. The validity and reliability of the Arabic version were established, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.84 to 0.68 for the subscales [ 18 ], and reverse coding was applied to negative items. Second, the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI), a 29-item tool with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree), was used to assess the levels of happiness [ 19 ]. The validity and reliability of the Arabic version were confirmed, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.91 to 0.89 for the subscales [ 18 ]. The scores were totalled and divided by 29 after reverse coding of certain items. Finally, the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ): Emotional regulation was measured using the 10-item ERQ, which includes two subscales, reappraisal and suppression, with Likert scale ratings ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) [ 20 ].

Consideration of ethical principles

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Al al-Bayt University and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University provided ethical approval for this study. Approval for the study methodology and surveys was obtained before recruitment. In addition to verbal communication, the students were provided with a detailed information sheet that clarified the voluntary nature of their participation, ensured their right to withdraw at any time without explanation, and guaranteed that their rights and learning would not be affected. The document also outlines the study’s significance, benefits, and objectives.

Data analysis

This study utilized SmartPLS 3 for data analysis, including the assessment of factor loadings, composite reliability, and extraction of mean variance for convergent validity. Before conducting structural equation modeling (SEM), The assumptions of normality and multicollinearity were verified before conducting SEM. SEM analysis was carried out using SmartPLS 3.0, exploring the relationships among latent constructs: personality traits, emotional regulation, and happiness, considering both direct and indirect effects. Bootstrapping, with a significance level of p  < 0.05, and a minimum of 5,000 resamples, was used to determine the confidence intervals and significance. The SEM results were used to evaluate the hypothetical model and investigate the potential mediating role of emotional regulation in the relationship between personality traits and happiness. Moreover, this study employed Henseler’s Multigroup Analysis (MGA) to compare the correlation between personality traits and happiness among nurses in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. MGA, a non-parametric test, evaluates group-specific variances using PLS-SEM bootstrapping. Significance is established at a 5% error probability, where a p -value below 0.05 or above 0.95 indicates a noteworthy disparity in group-specific path coefficients. The PLS-MGA methodology in SmartPLS expands on bootstrap-based MGA for PLS-SEM, offering a cautious assessment of the path coefficient differences between the two groups [ 21 , 22 ].

Characteristics of participants

Most participants in this study were from Saudi Arabia, comprising 55.9% of the total sample. In terms of sex distribution, males constituted 47.0%, while individuals aged 20 years or older constituted 51.2%. Regarding marital status, the majority of the participants (95.8%) were single. Regarding education, participants were distributed across various academic years, with 44.4% in their first year.

Measurement model

Construct reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability (CR), with all CR values exceeding the recommended threshold of 0.70 [ 23 ]. Cronbach’s alpha for each construct surpassed the threshold of 0.63 for each construct. Convergent validity, evaluated using Average Variance Extracted (AVE), ranged from 0.50 to 0.69. According to Fornell and Larcker (1981), these values indicate a satisfactory convergent validity [ 24 ]. The factor loadings, as presented below, were consistent with the results of Hair et al. (2006), where the minimum interpretability level for the structure ranges from 0.30 to 0.40 [ 25 ]. All factors and their respective subscales exhibited a high level of significance. Table  1 provides a comprehensive overview of the reliability and validity results, as well as the factor loadings of the items. Additionally, the variance inflation factor (VIF) ranged between 1.13 and 2.06 (Table  1 ).

The Fornell-Larcker criterion evaluates discriminant validity. The diagonal values (bold) indicate the square roots of AVE for each construct. Discriminant validity is deemed satisfactory when these values exceed the off-diagonal correlations. In Table  2 , discriminant validity seems to be supported because the bold diagonal values are higher than their corresponding off-diagonal correlations.

The Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio of Correlations (HTMT) was used to evaluate discriminant validity. Values exceeding one indicate potential issues with discriminant validity. In the table, all HTMT values are below 1, which indicates satisfactory discriminant validity. These constructs exhibited an appropriate level of differentiation, thereby supporting the distinctiveness of the measured traits (Table  3 ).

The model fit statistics in Table  4 provide insight into the adequacy of the proposed model. A Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) of 0.070 suggests a good fit. The Unweighted Least Squares discrepancy (d_ULS) and Bentler’s Comparative Fit Index (d_G) values at 3.030 and 0.590, respectively, indicate an acceptable fit. However, the high chi-square value of 2507.470 raises concerns and suggests a potential lack-of-fit. It is important to interpret this cautiously, in conjunction with other fit indices. Notably, the Normed Fit Index (NFI) of 0.700 falls below the commonly accepted threshold of 0.90, suggesting a possible need for model refinement. Further examination and potential adjustments of the model may enhance its overall fit and validity.

Table  5 presents the values of R-square (R²) and Q Square (Q²). In terms of happiness, 41% of the variance was explained (R² = 0.41) and it had a predictive relevance of 20% (Q² = 0.20). Reappraisal had an explained variance of 27% (R² = 0.27) and a predictive relevance of 14% (Q² = 0.14). For Suppression, the explained variance was 17% (R² = 0.17) and the predictive relevance was 10% (Q² = 0.10). These values demonstrate the model’s ability to explain and predict variance in the dependent variables.

Structure model

Table  6 presents the essential path coefficients and results of the hypothesis testing in the structural equation model. Notably, Agreeableness significantly enhanced happiness (β = 0.10, p  < 0.001), demonstrating substantial positive effects on reappraisal (β = 0.24, p  < 0.001) and suppression (β = 0.18, p  < 0.001). Extraversion strongly influenced happiness (β = 0.39, p  < 0.001), with a positive impact on reappraisal (β = 0.14, p  < 0.001) and a negative effect on suppression (β = -0.21, p  < 0.001). Neuroticism significantly impeded happiness (β = -0.25, p  < 0.001) and reappraisal (β = -0.26, p  < 0.001), while having a detrimental effect on suppression (β = -0.33, p  < 0.001). Openness had a noteworthy positive effect on suppression (β = 0.11, p  = 0.01). Consciousness demonstrated a modest, yet significant, positive impact on happiness (β = 0.08, p  = 0.04). However, its influence on reappraisal (β = 0.05, p  = 0.23) and suppression (β = 0.06, p  = 0.22) was not statistically significant. Notably, there was a negative correlation between extraversion and suppression (β = -0.21, p  < 0.001), indicating that nurses who were more extraverted tended to engage in less emotional suppression. Likewise, neuroticism negatively affected both reappraisal (β = -0.26, p  < 0.001) and suppression (β = -0.33, p  < 0.001), suggesting that neurotic nurses are less likely to utilize these coping strategies. This overview outlines the relationships between personality traits - such as agreeableness, extraversion, neuroticism, consciousness and openness- and their contributions to happiness and emotional regulation in the model.

Table  7 presents a summary of the total effects observed in the model, offering valuable insights into the strength and significance of these relationships. These findings highlighted several noteworthy results. First, agreeableness exhibited significant positive effects on reappraisal (β = 0.240, p  < 0.001), happiness (β = 0.110, p  < 0.001), and suppression (β = 0.180, p  < 0.001). Second, extraversion demonstrated substantial positive effects on reappraisal (β = 0.140, p  < 0.001) and happiness (β = 0.410, p  < 0.001) while exhibiting a negative impact on suppression (β = -0.210, p  < 0.001). Third, neuroticism had negative effects on reappraisal (β = -0.260, p  < 0.001), happiness (β = -0.250, p  < 0.001), and suppression (β = -0.330, p  < 0.001). Finally, openness had a significant positive effect on suppression (β = 0.110, p  = 0.010). These outcomes enhance our understanding of the direction and strength of the relationships within the model.

Mediation analysis

Table  8 presents the results of the mediation analysis, providing details of the direct, indirect, and total effects. In terms of agreeableness, there was a significant positive direct effect on happiness (β = 0.100, p  < 0.001), but the indirect effect was not significant (β = 0.010, p  = 0.590), resulting in a significant total effect of 0.110 ( p  < 0.001). Consciousness demonstrated a positive direct effect on happiness (β = 0.080, p  = 0.040) with no significant indirect effect, leading to a significant total effect of 0.080 ( p  = 0.040). Extraversion displayed a substantial positive direct effect on happiness (β = 0.390, p  < 0.001) with a small but significant indirect effect (β = 0.020, p  = 0.020), resulting in a significant total effect of 0.410 ( p  < 0.001). Neuroticism exhibited a significant negative direct effect on happiness (β = -0.250, p  < 0.001), with no significant indirect effect, leading to a significant total effect of -0.250 ( p  < 0.001). Openness demonstrated a nonsignificant direct effect on happiness (β = 0.010, p  = 0.750) and no significant indirect effect, resulting in a nonsignificant total effect of 0.010 ( p  = 0.820). These findings offer valuable insights into the complex relationship between personality traits and happiness, presenting various patterns of direct and indirect effects.

The difference between Jordan and Saudi

Multiple-group analysis revealed no significant differences between Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the relationship between personality traits and happiness, reappraisal, and suppression. No difference in the path coefficients was statistically significant ( p  > 0.05), indicating similar patterns in these associations across the two countries (Table  9 ).

This study aimed to explore the correlation between personality traits and happiness by specifically investigating the mediating role of emotional regulation in this relationship. This study found that agreeableness had a significant impact on happiness, influencing both reappraisal and suppression, which is supported by previous studies [ 26 , 27 ]. This result can be justified as nursing students with agreeableness traits are considered more empathic and altruistic, and have a high intention to help others. These agreeable personality traits are the core values that nursing students learn during their first year of college and help enhance their self-esteem and nursing image. Therefore, agreeableness is thought to affect the levels of happiness and ability of nursing students to reappraise their emotions and suppression.

In addition, our study found a positive effect of agreeable personality and reappraisal, which is consistent with another study [ 28 ]. This suggests that agreeable people tend to use reappraisal to regulate the effects of antisocial stimuli Finlay-jones (2017), which is probably due to their engagement in reappraisal ability [ 29 ].

The current study revealed that extraversion strongly influences happiness and positively affects reappraisal. This result was supported by several studies [ 27 , 30 , 31 ]. The possible rationale for this finding is that extraversion personality traits increase interpersonal experience, enablement to enjoy, sharing feelings with others, and a preference for achievement rather than focusing on life experiences. Likewise, it was established that the maximum amount of time students spent participating in recreational activities and with their families was related to their levels of happiness [ 32 ]. Therefore, future research should explore the impact of family relationships and leisure activities on students’ happiness levels. In addition, as part of the nursing study curriculum, students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, which may help them to be open and socially active.

Moreover, we found that neuroticism hampers happiness and reappraisal, and has a detrimental effect on suppression. Our results are consistent with those of previous studies [ 28 , 33 , 34 ]. One possible explanation is that neurotic people may exhibit maladaptive emotional coping (anger, sadness, and dissatisfaction), leading to anxiety and depression, which may negatively impact their enjoyment of life. Therefore, neurotic nursing students are susceptible to anxiety regarding their college requirements, which may hinder their enjoyment of life and happiness.

The current study found no significant differences between Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the associations between personality traits and happiness among nursing students. It is important to note that both Saudi Arabia and Jordan are Arab countries that share similar cultural and religious perspectives. In addition, nursing students in both countries study similar curricula. This result is supported by the finding that the nursing profession was initially started by Americans in both countries; therefore, it was based on the same American nursing guidelines and perspectives [ 35 ]. Additionally, both Saudi Arabian and Jordanian nursing students have been found to share the same perception of care provided to patients [ 36 ]. Additionally, there is a considerable proportion of Jordanian university faculty and nurses working in Saudi Arabia, which allows nursing students to share the same life and job perspectives and, therefore, a level of life satisfaction and happiness. Furthermore, nurses in Jordan and Saudi Arabia reported a moderate quality of nursing work life [ 37 ]. Therefore, it is not surprising that there were no differences in the relationship between personality traits and levels of happiness among nursing students in either country.

Limitations

While this study reports significant results regarding personality traits and happiness among nursing students in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, it has some limitations. For instance, the study used a cross-sectional design based on self-reported questionnaires, which might hinder the establishment of causal relationships between the study variables and ignore the effect of time. Additionally, the use of online questionnaires may lead to bias in student responses. Furthermore, this study did not investigate other variables that might influence students’ levels of happiness and their relation to personality type in either country, such as academic load, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, level of stress, general health, and religious connection. Therefore, future studies should consider these limitations to explore the topic comprehensively.

This is the first comparative study among nursing students in Jordan and Saudi Arabia that uses a structural equation modeling approach to investigate the relationships between personality traits, emotional regulation, and happiness. We found that while agreeableness and extraversion significantly enhanced happiness with a positive impact on reappraisal, neuroticism significantly impeded happiness and reappraisal. No differences in personality traits and happiness were found between the nursing students in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Therefore, academic planners and decision makers are encouraged to plan programs that may enhance students’ personality trait identification and development to augment their happiness levels and emotional regulation.

Recommendation

Future research should use longitudinal designs to establish causal relationships between personality traits, emotional regulation, and happiness among nursing students. It is crucial to consider variables such as academic workload, stress levels, and cultural nuances that are specific to Arab countries. It is recommended that intervention studies be conducted that focus on emotional regulation and employ qualitative methods to gain deeper insights. Further investigation is required to explore the impact of family relationships and leisure activities on happiness.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Abbreviations

Oxford Happiness Inventory

Emotion Regulation Questionnaire

Structural Equation Modeling

Composite Reliability

Average Variance Extracted

Variance Inflation Factor

Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling

Multigroup Analysis

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to all nurses from both countries who completed our questionnaire.

This research did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Shdaifat was responsible for the conceptualization, methodology, and writing of the original draft. Shudayfat collected the data, performed formal analysis, and participated in the investigation. Alshowkan contributed to writing, reviewing, and editing the manuscript, and provided supervision.

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Correspondence to Tamadur Shudayfat .

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IRB approval was obtained from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Institutional Review Board of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) in Saudi Arabia approved this study (Ref. No. IRB-2022-04-306), whereas in Jordan, approval was obtained from the Princess Salama Faculty of Nursing (Ref 1/1/2023). Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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Shdaifat, E., Shudayfat, T. & Alshowkan, A. The relationship between personality traits and happiness: the mediating role of emotional regulation. BMC Nurs 23 , 327 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01959-0

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    Revision- go through the content and look for grammatical or spelling errors, if any. Focus on the structure of the essay. 2. List tips on how to write a nursing school application essay. Focus on being informative- while framing the essay, be mindful of the information you include. Make sure it is backed by some evidence.

  21. Crafting a Winning Nursing Scholarship Essay: Examples and Tips

    6.1 Overuse of cliches and generalizations. Avoid using clichés and joint statements in your nursing scholarship essay. Instead of relying on overused expressions, try to bring originality and ...

  22. Empower to Lead: Unveiling the Essence of Nursing Leadership

    Nursing leadership is a multifaceted journey marked by personal growth, understanding, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in patient care. It's about recognizing one's sphere of influence, from the home care nurse guiding a family to the charge nurse shaping the dynamics of a large unit. Leadership in nursing demands a profound ...

  23. Nurses traits essay

    Nursing can be very stressful at times, but you must have the Emotional Stability to carry-out your duties while accepting suffering and death without letting it get crucial or personal. With having Interpersonal Skills, you can balance out the needs of a patient as well as a doctor seamlessly while being able to work a variety of situations.

  24. Emotional labour in nursing research: A bibliometric analysis

    The Journal of Advanced Nursing (JAN) is a world-leading nursing journal that contributes to the advancement of evidence-based nursing, midwifery and healthcare. Abstract Aim This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to explore the trajectory and thematic developments of emotional labour research in nursing.

  25. High ratings for nursing homes may not give full story about care

    They can find the rating online using the government's Care Compare tool. "Nursing homes with 5 stars are considered to have much above average quality and nursing homes with 1 star are considered to have quality much below average," according to the government's CMS website. A Scripps News analysis of more than 14,000 nursing homes ...

  26. The relationship between personality traits and happiness: the

    Understanding the factors contributing to happiness in the nursing profession is essential, particularly considering the high levels of stress associated with the job. This study aimed to explore the role of emotion regulation in mediating the relationship between personality traits and nurses' happiness. This study aimed to explore the relationship between personality traits and happiness ...

  27. Should Students Use AI for MBA Admissions Essays?

    A majority of prospective MBA students, 56%, say they should be allowed to use AI to help them write admissions essays, but they also say there should be guidelines and restrictions, according to a new survey from Manhattan Prep and Kaplan. Only 18% of the more than 300 prospective MBA students surveyed said the use of AI should be unrestricted.