Skills required for a nursing career

As a nurse you’re a listener, a manager, and a knowledgeable skilled professional. Here are some of the key skills you will need to pursue a career in nursing:

Excellent people skills

You will be providing care for people of all ages and backgrounds. You should be able to put people at their ease, gain their confidence and deal sympathetically with their problems and fears.

Good communication and observation

Communication and observation are crucial to good nursing. You need to be a good at listening as well as talking and you have to be constantly alert to changes in patients’ conditions and the implications in terms of care.

Ability to answer questions and offer advice

Nurses are the most frequent point of contact for patients, so you must be able to answer their questions, share your knowledge and skills with patients, their families and friends and make sure their needs are recognised by the rest of the care team.

Happy to work as part of a team

As a nurse you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes doctors, physiotherapists, anaesthetists, pharmacists, dietitians and many more. You need to how all these different people work together.

Dealing with emotionally charged situations

Nursing can sometimes involve managing distress. You’ll play a key part in helping patients and families come through their crises.