Within the healthcare system, nurses are essential. They are highly educated and offer compassionate care in a variety of settings.
The health of far too many individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities in the United States is compromised by social determinants of health (SDOH) and limited access to quality healthcare services.
Online Education
Online learning offers students a lot of flexibility. Unlike traditional programs that require students to travel to and from school, online nurses can study anywhere with an internet connection.
This flexibility means you can work your education around your existing schedule. Studying from home also allows you to use your preferred learning environment, whether on a comfortable sofa or in the privacy of your bedroom.
Despite the flexible nature of online acute care nurse practitioner programs, you must still be disciplined regarding your study habits. Like traditional students, online nursing students have outside homework assignments and tests. Strong time management abilities are necessary, but you may develop these abilities by using technology to make the most of your online study sessions. For example, you can download a free productivity app or listen to audio recordings of lectures when you’re on the go.
Flexibility
The Institute of Medicine’s landmark report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” from 10 years ago proves that nursing has long recognized the need to address systematic disparities. Since then, ANA and its constituent state nurses associations have worked tirelessly to implement the report’s recommendations.
These efforts range from ensuring access to high-quality education through funding nurse scholarships to improving academic progression and diversity through addressing structural discrimination and providing implicit bias training. Nurses must also be capable of self-reflection about how their beliefs and values affect the care they provide to patients from diverse backgrounds.
The work is far from over. As healthcare becomes increasingly digitized, nurses will be required to adjust their practice, and the industry must continue to support nurses by maintaining open dialogue and investing in research. This can ensure that nurses continue to lead the way in patient outcomes and healthcare policy.
Interpersonal Skills
Nurses often work in teams, so good interpersonal skills are essential. They help nurses to communicate effectively, understand workplace culture, and provide support in coping with personal and professional circumstances. Research suggests that effective interpersonal communication in nursing improves organizational performance and job satisfaction.
Nurses must also be able to build rapport with patients. This requires patience, warmth, and sincerity, as people are likelier to open up when they feel comfortable. As such, nurses need vital emotional intelligence to be able to meet the needs of each patient.
Acute care nurse practitioners from Youngstown State University can also work with other healthcare team members, including doctors. Practical communication abilities and the capacity to accept and appreciate the decisions made by other experts are prerequisites for this. In addition, they must be able to work in a stressful environment and remain focused on the task. This can be challenging for students not naturally accustomed to such a fast-paced and pressured setting.
Self-Awareness
Nursing is vital to healthcare, serving as the backbone of patient care and advocating for health. Nurses work in various settings, including hospitals, ambulatory care centers, clinics, and private practices.
Nurses must be prepared to face several challenges as the field evolves. These include aging populations, workforce shortages, and infectious disease outbreaks. Additionally, nurses are often called upon to address healthcare policy and research endeavors.
In addition, nurses must be aware of their own emotional and physical well-being and the impact of their work on patients. Nurses must recognize non-verbal communication and maintain a calm and soothing demeanor, particularly in stressful situations. Self-awareness, or the capacity to observe and consider one’s thoughts and feelings, might help with this. This can also help nurses avoid judging or discriminating against their patients. It can also support an open and honest dialogue with patients.
