essay on qualities of a good nurse

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28 Essential Qualities & Attributes of a Good Nurse

Nursing is a demanding profession that requires more than technical skills and knowledge to be successful. Being a practical nurse also takes certain qualities, characteristics, and values. These essential qualities of the best nurse are necessary for providing quality care and creating positive patient outcomes. From being compassionate and having excellent communication skills to staying organized and flexible, these 28 essential qualities of successful nurses can help you become an exemplary healthcare provider.

Table of Contents

Essential Qualities of a Good Nurse

Being a good nurse requires many qualities and skills, such as the ability to think quickly and act decisively in moments of medical crisis. Compassion, empathy, and patience are also essential because they help nurses build relationships with individual patients and their families. Let’s conclude it with the following points:

1 . Compassion :

Being compassionate is one of the essential qualities a nurse can possess. A good nurse will show empathy and understanding for their patients to create an environment that promotes healing and support.

2. Respect :

Treating all patients with respect, regardless of their background or culture, demonstrates professionalism and creates positive outcomes in the long run.

3. Strong Communication Skills :

Communicating effectively is critical for nurses to succeed. A great nurse can listen, understand and respond appropriately to patient needs.

4. Attention to Detail :

Nurses need to pay close attention to detail when taking patient information, assessing symptoms, recording data and administering medication.

5. Organization :

Staying organized is essential for nurses as they juggle multiple tasks and care for many patients simultaneously. Good organizations can help them stay on top of everything while providing quality care.

6. Adaptability :

The healthcare environment is constantly changing, so being flexible and adapting quickly is a critical skill for nurses. It helps them stay ahead of the curve and create better patient experiences.

Also, the  healthcare industry  (and workers) must be successfully adaptive to provide the best quality patient care possible.

7. Integrity :

In  nursing , integrity means being honest and ethical regarding patient care. Good nurses trust their judgement and ensure safety is always a top priority in the workplace.

8. Patience :

Managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines can be stressful for nurses, so having patience is essential for success. Good nurses take the time to listen to patient’s concerns and provide them with quality care without rushing through anything.

9. Self-Confidence :

Having confidence in your skills as a nurse allows you to think independently and make informed decisions quickly in challenging situations.

10. Interpersonal Skills :

Working in teams is an essential part of nursing, so good nurses need to be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues.

11. Leadership :

Nurses often take on leadership roles within the healthcare environment, so they must lead their team positively while still providing quality care.

Strong attention to detail is one of the  nurse’s personality traits  that can easily and quickly determine how successful they’ll be in their role.

12. Emotional Intelligence :

Nurses need to recognize emotions in themselves and others and act accordingly. Being emotionally aware can help them create better relationships with patients, families, and colleagues.

13. Professionalism :

Professionalism is essential for nurses as it impacts how others view them and their profession. Good nurses are always professional when interacting with their patients, no matter the situation.

14. Motivation :

Being motivated and having a positive attitude is vital for nurses to stay focused and successful in their nursing job.

15. Work Ethic :

Good nursing careers have a strong work ethic and are dedicated to providing quality patient care. They take ownership of their responsibilities and strive to do their best with the available resources.

16. Problem-Solving Skills :

A good nurse needs to think on their feet and creatively solve problems as they arise in patient care.

17. Flexibility :

Handling last-minute changes or requests from colleagues or patients is another essential skill for nurses, allowing them to adapt quickly to different situations.

Additionally, Experienced nurses offer a wealth of knowledge to their creative counterparts, who eagerly tap into those resources for personal and professional growth. This cycle of sharing enriches the entire nursing community with an abundance of insight and understanding.

18. Stress Management :

Nurses often have to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, so managing stress is essential. Good nurses can prioritize their tasks, reduce anxiety and maintain a positive outlook in high-pressure scenarios.

19. Compassion :

Compassion for patients, family members and colleagues are essential for good nurses as it helps them better understand the needs of their patients and provide quality care throughout the process.

20. Empathy :

Good nurses must put themselves in the patient’s shoes and understand their origin to give appropriate advice and treatment options. Being empathetic can also help build trust with patients, which is essential for successful outcomes in healthcare settings.

21. Time Management :

Other Nurses often have to work long hours and handle multiple tasks, so managing their time wisely is critical for success. Good nurses can prioritize their jobs efficiently and complete them promptly.

22. Attention to Detail :

The ability to pay close attention and notice even the most minor details can make all the difference in patient care. Good nurses take the time to double-check every aspect of their work before making decisions or taking action.

23. Research Skills :

Many medical decisions require research, and evidence-based practice, so strong research skills are essential for success in nursing careers. Good nurses can utilize medical resources and evidence-based practice to make informed patient decisions.

24. Technology Skills :

As technology evolves, nurses must keep up with the changing landscape to use new medical tools and technologies successfully. Strong technology skills allow them to navigate electronic medical records and other medical software quickly and accurately.

25. Cultural Competency :

Knowing how to interact with people from different backgrounds is essential for successful nursing care. Good nurses can recognize cultural differences, respect those differences, and provide culturally competent care.

26. Communication Skills :

Clear and effective communication is essential for successful nursing care as it helps build trust with patients and colleagues. Good nurses can communicate their ideas concisely and respectfully while listening intently to ensure they understand the patient’s needs.

27. Teamwork :

Working with other healthcare professionals is essential to providing quality patient care. The professional nurse knows how to collaborate with colleagues, share resources, and utilize each other’s strengths to provide the best possible outcome for every patient.

28. Critical Thinking skills: 

Being able to think critically and assess information quickly is essential for nurses. Good nurses can weigh the pros and cons of different treatments or procedures, consider feedback from colleagues, and make decisions based on evidence-based nursing practice to provide the best possible care.

These skills are all critical components of being a successful nurse, so having these traits will help any nurse excel in their career. Good nurses can draw from these skills to provide quality care and help improve the lives of their patients.

We hope that this list has provided an abundance of insight and understanding into the essential skills that every nurse should possess. Nurses can provide comprehensive care and ensure positive patient outcomes with these skills. Good luck in your nursing career.

Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Nursing — Characteristics Of A Successful Nurse

Characteristics of a Successful Nurse

• Categories: Communication Skills Compassion Nursing

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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Communication skills, critical thinking.

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Beyond thank you: The powerful reach of meaningful recognition

“I recognize that voice, that voice belongs to someone who is such a dream to me. [My nurse] was a shining light and made an unbearable hospital stay a little bit better.”

The above quote from a patient desiring to acknowledge the extraordinary work of a nurse is an example of meaningful recognition. Identified by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses as one of the six elements of a healthy work environment, meaningful recognition goes beyond a person saying “thanks” or telling someone they did a “great job.” While “thanks” and other kinds of positive feedback are valuable, the outcomes associated from receiving meaningful recognition last longer and have a deeper interpersonal impact on the recipient. The power of meaningful recognition comes from both the content and delivery of this type of feedback, which encompasses authentically describing how one’s actions impacted another in a way that is relevant to the recipient and situation. In other words, meaningful recognition involves genuinely acknowledging what a person did and how their actions made a difference in the lives of others.

Value of meaningful recognition

Why is meaningful recognition important? Research has demonstrated that meaningful recognition can positively impact individuals and organizational cultures. From an individual perspective, the evidence indicates that meaningful positive feedback is associated with the growth of one’s psychological capital, which is our positive mindset that encompasses an optimistic outlook, and confidence in our capacity to accomplish challenging tasks, solve problems, navigate future barriers, and bounce back from difficult situations. Psychological capital (self-efficacy, hope, and resilience) has been linked to a person’s well-being, job satisfaction, job performance, and positive emotions. The outcomes associated with recognizing one’s contributions in a meaningful way can lead to increasing one’s self-awareness of the impact one made, reconnecting nurses with why they chose nursing as their profession, and building and elevating one’s sense of pride regarding their work.

From an organizational vantage point, the research has demonstrated that meaningful recognition allows us to focus on all the “right” occurring in our organizations. This does not imply that we should avoid performance improvement! Efforts aimed at error prevention, eradicating near-miss circumstances, and creating processes that do not promote work-arounds are critical interventions and are a part of our commitment to the profession of nursing. However, increasing efforts aimed at preventing mistakes and reducing errors is only half of the solution required to keep our patients safe and create healthy work environments for staff. The other half of the solution involves devoting the same commitment, effort, and rigor to recognizing and acknowledging all the “right going on” in healthcare organizations across the country. Nowhere in the Institute of Medicine’s report To Err is Human is a recommendation that healthcare organizations focus exclusively on what we are doing wrong and forgo the acknowledgement of what is going right. On the contrary; for years, the field of organizational psychology has provided research supporting the value of leveraging one’s strengths to address developmental opportunities. In addition to developmental value, the evidence has demonstrated that recognizing nurses in a meaningful way can provide leaders with opportunities and data to “showcase” the impact of nursing occurring in their facilities, reinforce the actions associated with patient satisfaction, nurture team spirit, and create an organizational culture that acknowledges and promotes “all the right going on.”

Meaningful recognition: Nursing’s field of dreams

“It’s not just what the nurses did, it was how they treated Patrick and also cared for our family that helped us get through the most difficult time of our lives.” — Bonnie Barnes, Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation

Following the unexpected loss of Patrick, their 33-year-old son and husband, the Barnes Family created The DAISY Award (an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System) to thank nurses for their extraordinary work. Powered by gratitude, nearly 1,700 healthcare organizations across the globe are currently using The DAISY Award to recognize their extraordinary nurses. Patients, family members, and colleagues nominate nurses for the award. A committee of staff nurses at each facility reviews the nominations and chooses the DAISY Honoree. A surprise, public celebration recognizing the Honoree’s extraordinary nursing occurs on the recipient’s unit with the entire team cheering for their colleague. Patients who are able to attend can join in the celebration, and several of the facilities also invite the Honoree’s family members to attend the event.

Research involving the analyses of over 2,000 DAISY Award nominations from 20 hospitals across the country, along with Honoree and nurse leader interviews, revealed that when a recognition process is “built” into an organization’s culture, patients, family members, and peers will share their stories of extraordinary nurse encounters. To date, about 400,000 nurses have been nominated for DAISY Awards and more than 40,000 nurse Honorees have been recognized for their extraordinary nursing. Clearly, our patients, their family members, and nurse colleagues want to share their stories of how a nurse impacted their lives and why this experience was meaningful to them.

“A lot of times when people find out I am HIV positive, they treat me different. The nurse was always there for me. It didn’t make one little difference that I was HIV positive.” — quote from a nomination for The DAISY Award

The DAISY study showed that stories of extraordinary nursing don’t always involve the “big stuff” like saving a life. Instead, patient, family, and peer perceptions of extraordinary nursing often encompassed what we nurses perceive as the “little things” such as teaching a family how to use a G-tube, holding a patient’s hand during a procedure, explaining one’s medical condition in the way the family understands what is happening, and helping a coworker with a difficult assignment or cope with the loss of a patient. Providing patients, family members, and colleagues with a process to share their stories of how a nurse made a difference allows nurses to acknowledge all the “right going on” in their facilities. Public celebrations like The DAISY Award ceremony reinforce these actions.

Capturing the nature of our work through meaningful recognition

“He not only cares for his patient, but heals the whole family.” — quote from a nomination for The DAISY Award

So, how do we catch all the “right going on” 24/7 in our healthcare organizations? The DAISY study found that the meaningful recognition process like The DAISY Award provided nurse leaders with real-time feedback from patients, families, and colleagues describing how the science and art of nursing come together to create a perception of extraordinary care. The study found that extraordinary nursing is not something that can be scripted or occurs when one uses a template or checklist. Instead, each patient, each family, and each nurse colleague defines extraordinary nursing. These definitions of extraordinary are based upon the nurse’s ability to identify needs and meet those needs in a manner that is meaningful to that patient, family member, or colleague. Based on the patient, family member, and peer nominations analyzed, perceptions of “extraordinary” include a nurse’s clinical knowledge and expertise, and how they combine the science of nursing with the art of nursing (that is, compassion, caring, teamwork, a contagious positive attitude, and connecting with families) to deliver care.

Recognizing what nurses do and how they deliver care provides healthcare organizations with details about how nurses impact the patient experience. The richness contained in the patient stories are often difficult to capture via rating scales associated with patient satisfaction tools. Although these tools provide valuable data, creating a process that allows patients, family members, and peers to recognize extraordinary actions, it’s necessary to augment these types of surveys with explanations of why people are satisfied. Through meaningful recognition, we are able to describe the impact of nursing by learning from our patients, their family members, and our colleagues how nurses inspire, comfort, erase fear, and elevate joy.

“I didn’t think I had done anything that was a big deal. But they thought it was a big deal and that I had gone above and beyond.” — DAISY Award Honoree

Why meaningful recognition is important for nurses

Even though patients, family members, and peers want to express their gratitude, a common response to meaningful recognition from nurses is “I was just doing my job.” Describing the “shock and awe” they experienced upon receiving this type of meaningful recognition, the DAISY Honorees interviewed often replied they were “surprised, flabbergasted, and stunned.” Recognizing the impact nurses have on patients, their families, and our colleagues is beyond “just doing our jobs.” This type of acknowledgement not only validates the importance of our work, but also serves to elevate the mastery and skill associated with the art and science of nursing.

The evidence supports that through meaningful recognition, we can elevate one’s perceptions of self-confidence and esteem, optimism, hope, and resilience. Strengthening one’s psychological capital benefits the individual, our organizations, and those we serve. Through the words of our patients, family members, and colleagues, we can more effectively articulate the work we do, further understand how we touch the lives of others, gain insight into why we make a difference, promote the value of nursing, and recognize that we are indeed a profession of extraordinary.

Cindy Lefton is vice president of organizational consulting for Psychological Associates and a clinical education specialist for trauma and acute care surgery for Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Selected references

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. AACN Standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work environments: A journey to excellence. Am J Crit Care . 2005;14(3):187-97.

Avey JB, Reichard RJ, Luthans F, et al. Meta-analysis of the impact of positive psychological capital on employee attitudes, behaviors, and performance. Human Resour Dev Q . 2011;22(2):127-52.

Avey JB, Wernsing TS, Mhatre KH. A longitudinal analysis of positive psychological constructs and emotions on stress, anxiety, and well-being. J Leadersh Organ Stud . 2011;18(2):216-28.

Froman L. Positive Psychology in the workplace. J Adult Dev . 2010;17(2):59-69.

Kohn LT, Corrigan JM, Donaldson MS, eds. To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System . 1st ed. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Institute of Medicine, Committee on Quality of Health Care in America;2000:1-287.

Lefton C. Strengthening the workforce through meaningful recognition. Nurs Econ . 2012;30(6):331-38, 355

1 Comment .

The telling of the extrordinary work that nurses do on a daily basis is something that needs to be said over and over. Not many people understand the depth of a nurse’s duties until they need one. TheNursesNurse.com

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Qualities of a Nurse

Updated 13 November 2023

Subject Nursing ,  Work

Downloads 28

Category Health ,  Life ,  Profession

In the nursing profession, different qualities contribute in making a successful nursing career. In addition to passing exams, successful nurses possess different traits that can either make them successful in their work or not. In an effort to establish successful career, nurses are required to show traits or natural qualities so as to be regarded as a great nurse. These include qualities such as empathy, adaptability, effective " therapeutic communication, humility and efficiency. Additionally, trustworthiness, compassion, respect and knowledge also plays key role in identifying a competent nurse. This essay identifies three key qualities of a nurse, as well as analyzing articles addressing the qualities.

One of the selected component for this essay with reference to qualities of nursing is compassion. The practice of nursing requires the efforts, ensuring the patients receives the best care possible. This in turn calls for nurses to be kind, understanding as well as caring towards their patients. This in turn contributes to one being a compassionate nurse. Compassion can be shown through empathy, listening to the patient, being positive towards others, positive body language, positive interaction and socialization and often checking on patients. These actions represent symbols of compassion in nursing.

On the other hand, trustworthiness is another factor that has become an integral element defining successful and competent nursing. The nursing ethics considers trust as an aspect rising form people, or nurses' ability to trust others and in turn extend the trust to another within the healthcare sector. In order for trust to thrive it have some key antecedents. These include; frequent communication between the patient and the care provider, acknowledging the nurses role, professionalism and commitment. However, negative influencing factors include; lack of effective conflict management as well as deteriorating employment conditions. However, being trustworthy remains a challenge as due to different expectations from patients, managers, professional bodies etc. Empathic knowledge remains a detrimental and relevant factor in caring and nursing practice. There is a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge, with nursing today demanding a considerable amount of knowledge as to offer the best and appropriate level of care to patients (Galvin " Todres, 2011).

According to Babaei et al (2017), compassion is an essential quality of nursing as it helps in fostering improved or better relationships between nurses and the patients they serve. One result of compassion is that, it allows patients to have more confidence in the care he/she receives. Nurses' personality plays an important role in an effort to facilitate as well as maintain compassionate nursing. Additionally, attitude and nurse values affect compassionate care. Not only does the article "Contextual Facilitators and Maintaining of Compassion-Based Care" highlight the importance of compassionate in nursing, but also highlights key personal traits that contribute to successful compassionate among nurses.

Galvin " Todres in their article 'Research based empathic knowledge for nursing: A translational strategy for disseminating phenomenological research findings to provide evidence for caring practice' identified empathic knowledge for nursing as an essential factor or quality that makes a successful and competent nurse in the healthcare sector. Empathic knowledge in the nursing care, allows and gives nurses the power to make informed decisions. In summary, it allows for adoption of evidence based nursing practices which in turn improves the nursing practice and individual nurse's contribution to care provision.

Connelly (2016) stated that, trustworthiness increases the aspect of dependability, conformability, and credibility with reference to nursing practice and research. This in turn improves the overall impact of nursing to patients improving the overall success rate of the practice. Additionally, the author advocated for the adoption of positive organizational model that is in turn would pose a barrier to holistic care. Finally, the selected articles provide a credible source of information

Section III

With reference to the evolution of my current perspective of nursing, the nursing education possess the responsibility to make sure, nurses qualify equipped with knowledge and attitudes that are needed for one to establish and maintain trust not only among the workers, but most importantly the nurse-patient trust. On the other hand, the increasing for top quality nursing services as well as adoption of patient centered healthcare plans, the demand for nurses to acquire top qualities have become an inevitable aspect. Different factors have in turn becomes integral mainstays for nurses to be regarded as successful and qualified to serve the ever changing and demanding healthcare sector. In addition, drawing from the peer reviewed articles, the details and information obtained can be termed as credible. In conclusion, the articles provide a different view in terms of nursing, both as a career and services in terms of care giving. Not only does nursing entail giving services to the patients but also delivering quality services to those who need it. More so, the increasing demand for improved services in the healthcare has led to an all-inclusive nursing.

Babaei, S., Taleghani, F., " Keyvanara, M. (2017). Contextual Facilitators and Maintaining of Compassion-Based Care: An Ethnographic Study. Iranian Journal of Nursing " Midwifery Research, 22 (2), 91-96.

Galvin, K. T., " Todres, L. (2011). Research based empathic knowledge for nursing: A translational strategy for disseminating phenomenological research findings to provide evidence for caring practice. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48

(4), 522-530.

Connelly, L. M. (2016). Understanding Research. Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research. MEDSURG Nursing, 25 (6), 435-436.

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Leadership in Nursing: Qualities of a Good Nurse Leader

Effective nursing leadership is essential for quality outcomes in healthcare. Outstanding leadership is demonstrated every day when nurses rise to challenges and accept opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the health care of our population. The importance of leadership in nursing cannot be overstated. 

Qualities of a good nurse leader include:

• Commitment to patients and families
• Perseverance and a humble mindset
• Aptitude for conflict resolution
• Empathy and professional communication
• Strong clinical skills
• Dedication to evidence-based practice

From an educational perspective, graduate nursing programs are available to train nursing educators and clinical nurse leaders (CNLs). With a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree , a world of possibilities for specialization and increased practice autonomy becomes available to registered nurses (RNs) who aspire to formalize their leadership roles.

These are two distinct pathways that aspiring nurse leaders can take to develop their professional skills and gain additional experience for vital leadership roles in the community and within our nation’s existing healthcare systems. 

Qualities of a Good Nurse Leader

Are you a registered nurse with a desire to develop your leadership skills in nursing beyond the bedside? You are well-positioned to pursue additional training that can set you apart in the job market and grow your confidence to take on new challenges. 

Nursing leadership qualities can be encouraged through faculty mentorship and further developed through nursing experience and graduate education. 

Let’s look at some of the best qualities of a good nurse leader. 

Empathy and Compassion

Empathy is the ability to understand a situation from another person’s perspective, including the emotions experienced and potential motivations for decisions. Good nurses can empathize with others and express compassion in how they communicate, both verbally and nonverbally. When a nurse is empathetic it enables meaningful connection with another person on a human-to-human level.

In nursing leadership, empathy promotes ethical and professional conduct. Good leaders can see problems from multiple angles and consider how various potential solutions may impact several different stakeholders. The ability to empathize also helps a nurse leader implement sensible decisions when there are multiple approaches that can make the best decision more difficult to discern.

Nurse leaders are also advocates for patients and other nurses, and advocacy allows a good nurse leader to:

• Suggest processes, policies and interventions that are in the best interest of patients and staff
• Connect patients and staff with helpful community resources
• Encourage self-care and participation in programs designed to reduce nurse burnout
• Help patients and families articulate their needs for quality health care

Closely linked to the skills of empathy and compassion are excellent communication skills. Effective communication is a hallmark of quality nursing care and quality leadership.

Communication Skills

Nurses communicate daily with many different people and through different modalities. A good nurse can communicate with other clinicians about patient status clearly and accurately and also relay this information to their patients in ways they can understand, all while empowering and educating them in their health care. 

Written communication is also critical for leadership in nursing as documentation of the nursing plan of care is recorded in medical records where nurses need to be thorough yet succinct. 

Nursing leaders mentor other nurses to promote professional development and continuity of care through shift changes and between visits (depending on the area of nursing practice). Strong leaders maintain open lines of discussion and work to resolve interpersonal conflict in ways that encourage teamwork and mutual understanding. Communication-savvy nurses can motivate, inspire and urge collaboration for a positive work environment.

Adaptability and Resilience

Nursing is a profession where adaptability to change and flexibility in daily activities are essential qualities. Good nurses can prioritize urgent actions and important details of their schedules as drawbacks occur. This can include:

• Declines or improvements in the health status of patients
• New patient admissions and discharges
• Nurse staffing and regular shift changes
• Assessment initiatives for quality improvement
• Accreditation audits and other regulatory reviews

Each of these instances would require a nurse to reevaluate priorities and adapt to the changing needs of patients and families within the healthcare facility. A good nurse can critically think about the urgency and importance of tasks to achieve quality patient care within the changing environment. 

Nurse leaders must be adept in strategic thinking, as well. As there are changes in staffing or new needs for facility accreditation, nursing leadership needs to proactively plan unit-based and organizational strategies for successfully navigating change.

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Abilities

Within a team of healthcare personnel, there are many valuable viewpoints to consider when making decisions. A nurse leader will observe and request input from the departments and disciplines involved when working to solve problems effectively. 

Problem-solving is as much about the problem itself as it is about the professional relationships and collaboration that may be required. Skills for nursing leaders that can aid in effective problem-solving include:

• Active listening to understand what others are communicating and why
• Willingness to consider differing viewpoints on a situation
• Self-awareness to understand personal motives and potential bias
• Emotional regulation and a propensity toward conflict resolution

Nurses who make good leaders are also those who give attention to detail. Many times, the details are often where the root cause of a problem can be identified and solutions can be proposed. Good leaders are willing to try potential solutions and honestly evaluate when a different route may be better. Proposing data-driven solutions, admitting faults and learning from mistakes are critical abilities for nursing leadership to possess.

Importance of Continuing Education for Nurse Leaders

Another quality of a good nurse leader is the expertise and knowledge gained through continuing education. Skills in health informatics allow nursing leadership to access and analyze available data to report measurable progress and identify areas for improvement in health care delivery. 

The desire to enhance knowledge and skills is a motivational factor for continued development and growth in any career. It is especially important for nurse leaders to pursue and model this growth mindset as mentors for other nurses and to exemplify standards for professionalism. 

Areas for continuing education include:

• Organizational leadership strategies
• Teaching methods in patient care and academics
• Soft skills for team building and working effectively with others
• Clinical knowledge and advancements for managing specific conditions
• Emerging technology with health care application

Research evidence for best practices continues to be published as discoveries are made and real-world interventions are implemented and evaluated. The ability to provide timely, evidence-based care is rooted in the practice of continuing education and willingness to learn. 

Next, let’s take an in-depth look at two pathways for becoming a nurse leader: Nursing Educator and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). 

Nursing Educator vs. Clinical Nurse Leader

If you are interested in a nursing career with ample opportunity for teaching, mentorship and leading individuals and teams toward improved health outcomes, both the nursing educator and clinical nurse leader roles will provide this. 

A CNL and a nurse educator are similar in that they both work to educate and train healthcare personnel through professional development opportunities and continuing education. 

A nursing educator may work in a clinical facility, such as a hospital or public health agency, or they may be found working in academic roles teaching student nurses. A clinical nurse leader is generally responsible for overseeing direct patient care and improving patient outcomes in a leadership position. 

Both roles are prepared through graduate education and require a master’s degree in nursing. 

Roles and Responsibilities of Nursing Educators

As a nursing educator , you may be responsible for conducting activities such as:

• Designing coursework and curriculum for students and nurses
• Researching best practices in teaching
• Planning professional development activities
• Teaching clinical skills for direct patient care
• Process-outcome evaluations of learning in the classroom and clinical setting

The specific activities of a nursing educator's role are somewhat dependent on the setting in which they are employed. Academic settings carry additional responsibilities of student mentorship, grading assignments and regular communication with other faculty to ensure alignment of the educational content with academic accreditation standards. 

Within the hospital or clinical setting, a nursing educator may work with students. However, when nursing educators are positioned within clinical employment positions, they are also frequently responsible for ensuring opportunities for growth and development for a particular unit or nursing specialty. 

Summary of Nursing Education Role

Roles and responsibilities of clinical nurse leaders.

The CNL role is known for leadership commitment with the primary goal of improved patient outcomes through quality improvement, education and other methods for enhancing care delivery within healthcare systems. 

Some of the responsibilities of a CNL include:

• Coordinating care and communication within interdisciplinary teams
• Designing evidence-based care plans for patients and families
• Identifying areas for quality improvement through data analysis and evaluation
• Promoting patient safety through risk assessments
• Facilitating transitions of care from one discipline or facility to another

In times of crisis, CNLs are on the front lines of nursing leadership as they stay abreast of current news and the latest recommendations for implementation. A CNL may be the person to suggest process changes for patient treatment plans and nursing care delivery based on an emerging technology or available community resource.

Summary of Clinical Nurse Leader Role

Leadership styles in nursing.

Many of the qualities of a good nurse and leader are important when implementing distinct styles of leadership in nursing. Depending on your personality or the unique dynamics of your workplace, different nursing leadership styles may be more effective than others. 

Leadership styles that are good for nursing leadership include:

• Transformational - the leader focuses on mentorship to bring the best out of a team
• Servant - the leader prioritizes meeting the needs of others and leads by example
• Laissez-faire - the leader entrusts decision-making responsibilities to those they oversee
• Democratic - the leader builds concensus and makes decisions by creating strong team dynamics

Transformational leadership is especially useful when visionary leaders are working to develop a strong nursing team for the future. Compassion and empathy are valuable qualities in many situations, especially when applying the servant leadership style. The laissez-faire style of leadership promotes a hands-off approach that is especially effective in situations with experienced and self-directed nurses. However, this style may provide too much autonomy for newer nurses who would benefit from greater direction and presence from a leader. 

Nursing leaders who can effectively apply a combination of styles can lead with the benefits of several styles while minimizing the shortcomings a particular style may have. 

If you are ready to embark on your journey to become a dynamic nurse leader, Cleveland State University (CSU) offers high-quality graduate nursing programs to help you reach your goals.

Cleveland State University’s Online MSN - Nursing Education 

The Online Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education program at CSU prepares nurses to become educators in academic and clinical settings. This program prepares graduates to design and implement innovative teaching strategies, mentor future nurses and contribute to curriculum development. 

Program features include: 

• Completion in two years on a part-time schedule
• Experiential hands-on learning in your community
• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Prepares you for the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) exam

With an MSN degree, you may begin working in academia as a clinical instructor. If you are interested in a future role in academic faculty, an MSN degree is the next step to furthering your education toward a doctorate that will allow you to achieve professorial roles in colleges and universities. 

Cleveland State University’s Online MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader

The Online Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader program at CSU prepares nurses for leadership roles in health care delivery by developing advanced clinical skills and interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduates of the CNL program are prepared to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based practice in complex health delivery situations. 

Program features include:

• Completion in one year and seven months on a part-time schedule
• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Education (CCNE)
• Prepares you for the Commission on Nurse Certification’s (CNC) Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification exam

Cleveland State University’s online MSN programs prepare you with the essential qualities of a nursing leader. For more information and details on how to apply, visit the Online MSN-NE and Online MSN-CNL program pages.

22 Leadership Qualities in Nursing Every Nurse Leader Must-Have in 2024

Are you a nurse leader or aspiring to achieve a leadership position in nursing? Have you wondered, "What are the leadership qualities in nursing every nurse leader must-have to be successful?” If this sounds like you, this article has information you could find helpful. Throughout this article, you will discover 22 leadership qualities in nursing every nurse leader must-have to be successful in 2024 and learn why developing strong leadership qualities is crucial for nurse leaders.

What Exactly Is A Nursing Leadership Quality?

Are leadership qualities a must-have for every type of nurse leader, 5 reasons why every nurse leader must have great leadership qualities.

1. Good leadership qualities in nursing are vital for strengthening the integration of effective, safe, high-quality patient care. 2. Strong leadership in nursing creates a positive work environment. 3. Great leadership qualities in nursing promote positive patient experiences and outcomes. 4. Strong nursing leadership is influential in reducing errors in nursing care which helps reduce healthcare costs. 5. Nurse leaders with excellent leadership qualities inspire others to put forth their best efforts.

WHAT ARE THE LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN NURSING EVERY NURSE LEADER MUST-HAVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

1. integrity, what is it:, why is this a must-have quality to be a successful nurse leader:, 2. critical thinking, 3. excellent communication skills, 4. mentorship, 5. strong ethics, 6. professionalism, 7. respect for others, 8. dedication, 9. accountability, 10. emotional intelligence, 11. empathy, 12. service-oriented, 13. authenticity, 14. good conflict resolution skills, 15. motivational, 16. self-awareness, 17. embraces diversity, 18. confidence, 19. active listener, 20. promotes employee development, 21. builds relationships, 22. technologically proficient, 5 ways to strengthen your leadership qualities in nursing, 1. identify and maintain your values and morals., 2. become a listener, 3. practice positivity., 4. get involved with community and professional organizations., 5. never stop learning, 12 bad leadership qualities every nurse leader should stay away from, 1. poor communication:, 2. lack of a good professional track record:, 3. acting disrespectfully toward others:, 4. downplaying unethical behaviors:, 5. lack of integrity:, 6. avoiding conflict:, 7. blaming others:, 8. unwilling to compromise or be flexible:, 9. being self-centered:, 10. being satisfied with the status quo:, 11. unteachable:, 12. lack of accountability:, my final thoughts.

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Nurses Week: What are Qualities of a Great Nurse?

Date: May 8, 2024 Categories: Uncategorized

We asked our nurses what qualities make a great nurse, and here’s how they responded! What qualities do you love to see from our nurses? 

#NursesWeek #AHNurses #TheFamilyYouChoose