Nurses aren't just nurses at work. Our experience as nurses carries over into our real lives and influences how we approach our world and the people in it. Here are 12 nursing skills that you tap into and apply to your daily life.
1. Patience
Even when our patience runs thin, nurses have more of it than most.
2. Compassion
Nurses put themselves in someone else's shoes to be able to understand where another has come from and how that informs that persons actions.
3. Multi-tasking
Laundry, dishes, phone calls, bills and lunch with a friend -- all in an afternoon. No problem. We're so used to juggling multiple responsibilities, we can't help but do it at home, too.
4. Assessment
Nurses are observant by nature. We get a global view of a situation and then zone in on important details.
5. Prioritizing
We face so many demands in our daily lives. It can be tough to figure out what really needs our attention and what can wait. Fortunately, prioritizing is a cornerstone of nursing practice and it comes in handy on our days off.
6. Time Management
Sound prioritization paves the way for solid time management. Nurses are doers. We complete a task and move on to the next.
7. Basic First Aid
We know how to handle an injury, whether it's a twisted ankle or a laceration. We can apply our nursing knowledge to just about any health-related situation we find ourselves in.
8. Critical thinking
When facing a problem, nurses are able to pinpoint the issue, and then analyze the possible solutions. Sometimes those solutions are a bit unorthodox. Those are usually the best ones.
9. Creativity
Speaking of unorthodox solutions, nurses are famous for developing creative, resourceful techniques to address problems, new and old.
10. Flexibility
The healthcare environment is dynamic and constantly changing. Nurses learn quickly how to go with the flow and adapt to unplanned circumstances.
11. Listening
Nurses listen to their patients. We want to hear their stories, their concerns and their struggles. The ability to listen is a beneficial quality to possess, both at work and at home.
12. Advising
Nurses give wise advice. Their ability to listen creates trust. Those in our personal lives often come to us with health and personal problems, looking for an objective and non-judgmental voice to help sort out the details.
Your turn
What aspects of nursing do you carry over into your personal life? Share in the comments below.
