general questions Flashcards
why do I want to be a nurse
if there’s one thing you should know about me, its that I love giving back to the community and caring for others and I believe nursing is the perfect opportunity to do just that. It’s so fulfilling, and at the end of the day, I want to know that I’ve done something for someone to make their day just a bit better. Nursing is a career built on compassion, empathy and helping others during their most vulnerable times. I have demonstrated my passion for helping others during my volun-teering as a Ward buddy at the hospital. My role consisted of providing a friendly, compassionate presence to patients, helping to reduce their anxiety or loneliness. I engaged in many conversa-tions and provided emotional support for patients which is particularly beneficial for those who may feel frightened, or confused as I understand that hospital stays can be stressful or over-whelming. It was such a rewarding experience and I aim to get that same personal fulfilment in Nursing. As well as this, having a mother who works as an adult nurse, has allowed me to see the harsh reality of healthcare. She would often come home with arms full of scratches but despite seeing this negative side to nursing, I was only more fascinated about the role of a nurse. I think being aware of the downsides to healthcare and how draining it is but yet still having a passion to be a nurse, shows my commitment for this role. My desire to study nursing was really cemented when I undertook a placement at a GP surgery shadowing a nurse practitioner, and I got to ob-serve how she managed the patients under time pressure, allowing time to explain their diagno-sis, allowing them to address any concerns they have themselves. It was such an incredibly inspir-ing placement that enabled me to see the difference in pace and environment between different healthcare settings. GP practice vs hospital. Overall , I believe that nursing is an incredibly reward-ing experience and no day is the same; which is an exciting aspect of the job as it allows continu-ous growth.
what is the most difficult part of nursing
I think one of the biggest challenges facing nurses today is the increasing demands placed on us. We’re being asked to do more with less, and it can be difficult to provide the high level of care that our patients need and deserve. In addition, the nursing shortage is also a major challenge that we’re facing. There simply aren’t enough nurses to meet the growing demand, which can lead to burnout and compassion fatigue.
what character traits are important for a nurse to have
Providing care that meets the unique needs of patients is an essential part of nursing. During my volunteering, I have had to cater to fit patient needs when going around the ward with the snack trolley. if I didn’t have a snack that they want, then I’d provide suitable alternatives to meet their dietary requirements. A compassionate nurse shows kindness to patients especially when they’re in a vulnerable situation and I’ve used done this, again, in volunteering when dealing with distressed and upset patients. Competence refers to being skilled and I’ve had to use my problem-solving skills in a customer-facing role when dealing with unsatisfied customers. Communication is an incredibly important skill for a nurse to have as it is essential for understanding patient needs, and building relationships with patients and other healthcare professionals. I use my own communication skills often for example, when working in retail and communicating with customers to meet their needs and resolve issues, it’s not only beneficial in a multidisciplinary team, but it’s also crucial for patients, so that you can communicate with their family about the course of action you’re gonna take. In a situation where a patient’s safety is at risk, nurses need the courage to speak up and courage can manifest in situations outside of nursing. For example, on many occasions I’ve had to refuse refunds to certain customers and even though, they may get upset and shout, by standing my ground; I displayed courage. Nurses must be dedicated to their work and have a commitment to the well-being of their patients; and my main commitment at the moment, is my part time job on the weekends, alongside school which shows my dedication to the team. Overall, I believe there are many traits and skills that a nurse must have.
how have you worked well in a team
I work as a customer retail assistant and on many occasions, we have been understaffed or overloaded with tasks that the customers have given us, and……….. I believe teamwork is essential in order to have an effective collaborative approach. This can improve communication and allow us to provide the best experience and treatment plans for our patients.
nhs values
working together for patients. Patients come first in everything we do
respect and dignity. We value every person – whether patient, their families or carers, or staff – as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits
commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care – safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time
compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each person’s pain, distress, anxiety or need
improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of the NHS
everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.
