The Difference Between a Good Nurse and a Great Nurse

By Jordie Papa

Image courtesy pinterest

Whether we’re talking athletes, motion picture stars, writers or motivational speakers, there are some who command more attention and get paid more money than others in their profession.  In many cases what puts these athletes and celebrities over the top isn’t nepotism or being in the right place at the right time.  It usually boils down to an overwhelming obsession with being the best at what they do.  While nurses aren’t likely to win many MVP awards or be cast in next summer’s blockbuster motion picture, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a noticeable difference between the care given by good nurses and those who go above and beyond the call of duty.  This week, I thought I’d take a look at some of the things that separates good nurses from great ones.

Great Nurses are Great Listeners

Whether we’re talking about an ER nurse dealing with the trauma du jour, a ward nurse who cares for several dozen patients a day, or a nurse who works at a doctor’s office, the great ones don’t deal with patients like products on an assembly line.  They not only get to know every patient in their care, they listen carefully to them.  Sometimes this results in better treatment, since subtle nuances can make a huge difference in diagnosing disease.  But it can also be a way to help patients who are frightened and possibly in pain deal with the stress associated with medical care. 

They Might Be on the Clock, But They Don’t Watch the Clock

Great nurses don’t waste time watching the clock while waiting for their shift to end.  That’s a good thing, since nurses sometimes work 10 to 12-hour shifts.  While learning how to stay awake during late night shifts can be difficult for some nurses to master, great nurses have learned how to manage their time, conserve their energy and make every second of their shift count.  So, don’t be surprised if you wander past a supply closet only to see a nurse doing some deep knee bends in the middle of a shift.  That’s just a great way to get the heart pumping to stay alert all night long.

Do You Read Me?

Image courtesy USAF

Another habit practiced by great nurses is being familiar with both a patient’s name as well as their chart.  In fact, great nurses will habitually read patient charts at the start of every shift and will speak to their supervisor or even the attending physician if they have any questions regarding a patient’s care.  No mere automaton in scrubs, great nurses go to great lengths to make certain that the medical care they dispense is always in the best interest of the patient.  Since one of the leading causes of death in hospitals is the inappropriate administration of pharmaceuticals, I know I want a nurse who is ready to ask questions if the drugs to be administered to me are in conflict with the normally prescribed regimen. 

The Learning Curve

More so than any other time in history, medical technology is changing rapidly.  Whether we’re talking healthcare policies and procedures, or drugs and medical hardware, keeping up to date in the medical profession is almost a full-time job in itself.  That’s why I’d much prefer to see a nurse reading the latest medical journals on his or her break than perusing a gossip magazine.  Great nurses are driven to continually improve their knowledge of the latest developments in the field.  While continuing education classes are one thing in which nurses are required to participate, the great ones don’t stop there.  Their hunger to keep abreast of rapidly evolving medical technology sets them apart from the herd.

Personality Plus

If you’ve spent any time in a hospital or even a hospital waiting room, then you know there are honeybees and drones.  The honeybees are the cheerful nurses and hospital administrators who smile at you as they ask you to fill out a form or roll your sleeve up to have blood taken.  The drones are the stone-faced robots who act like you’re wasting their time by asking a question.  Great nurses have a great bedside manner that always puts patients at ease no matter how dull a treatment happens to be.  Great nurses know that their attitude is contagious and will even put on a happy face if they’re having a bad day.

Attention to Detail

Great nurses have great attention to detail.  This is more important than most patients think, since the vast majority of malpractice suits filed have to do with an error or omission in what would otherwise have been a routine treatment or minor procedure.  While most doctors will be reluctant to admit it, they rely on their nurses to not only take nothing for granted, but to tell them when they are straying off course.  (Doctors get tired too and a fatigued physician is more likely to make a mistake then one who’s daisy fresh.)

The Ultimate Action Heroes

Image courtesy Uniform Destination

While most people think that doctors are the real heroes of the medical profession, the fact is when it comes to dealing with trauma and dispensing care, nurses are always the first to jump into the fray and the last to leave.  Think about it.  When was the last time you walked into the ER or even a doctor’s office only to see the doctor right away?  The last five times I went to the doctor for treatment, I never even saw the physician.  My treatment was doled out by his nurse.  The same holds true in the ER, where nurses perform triage, stitch wounds and stabilize critically injured patients before a doctor ever gets involved.  Once the doctor performs his part, it’s always up the nurse to finish up and get the patient either admitted or on their way home.  Great nurses will even take it one step farther, by staying in touch with their patients after they’ve been released.  And they do it out of the goodness of their hearts, not because they are required to do so.

Jordie Papa is owner of Uniform Destination with four locations in North Florida.