A Hospital’s Ideal Nurse Candidate

Degrees are certainly essential, as is the experience level that a candidate for a nursing job brings to bear. But when reviewing nurse candidates for a hospital position, there are other qualities that are not so easily measured that can play an even more important role in the hiring process.

Employment specialists look deeper into a person’s core. Examiners and interviewers are interested in a person’s personal qualities as deeply as their professional skills, a category of strengths and weaknesses known as soft skills. These are often considered intangible attributes that come, not only from taking RN courses or studies, but from inherent skills and life experiences learned by interpersonal relations and mental exercises which are known as soft skills. There are a number of these soft skills a manager looks for. They include:

Passion

Passion is a one of the most critical soft skills. It is a trait that separates dedicated employees from those who are in it strictly for the money. A passionate nurse wants to be part of the bigger picture by helping others. He or she is inspired and dedicated to the work, the patients and everyone in the system. They demonstrate their deep passion by demonstrating their willingness to get totally involved with every patient. That commitment is worn on their sleeves as personal badges of courage and dedication that has a positive effect on everyone they come in contact with. Generally, you can spot passionate people during their first interview. If someone needs help, they are the first to offer and when asked if they like their career path, the response will be, “I love it”.

Empathy

A nurse who can relate and empathize with her patient and still perform their require duties in a professional manner is an employee who possesses an important soft skill.

Accountability

The ability to take full responsibility and full charge of a situation instills confidence and trust in patients and co-workers.

Interpersonal Skills

Nurses with the ability to make their experiences with hospital patients, physicians and coworkers better are said to possess another essential soft skill. A good nursing candidate should be able to communicate easily and meaningfully with their patients and everyone else associated with the care of that patient. If a patient can be made to feel comfortable in her environment, her hospital stay will be much more positive. That patient will leave the hospital in a better frame of mind and much more satisfied with proper handling and communication between nurse and patient.

Don’t Lose Sight That Hospitals Are A Business

Hospitals are a business. A nurse who can interact with the patient and family is important to the success of the hospital and diplomacy in delicate situations is important.

Reaction to Pressure

Things can move quickly in a hospital. Emergencies call for quick responses. The nurse must be able to respond accordingly in life and death situations or at a critical time in the operating room. A steady hand in times of urgency can be reassuring and panic is not a good factor. Most importantly, hospital protocols must still be followed during stressful periods.

A person with an outstanding resume, bolstered by the characteristics or soft skills discussed herein can be considered ideal candidates for nursing positions in virtually every hospital.