Each year in May, National Nurses Week celebrates the dedication and impact nurses bring to the healthcare field. This year’s theme, The Power of Nurses, highlights the nursing strengths and qualities that guide the profession. At West Coast University, we see those characteristics reflected every day in our nursing students, faculty, and alumni.
Happy National Nurses Week to the WCU nursing community and to all the nurses who use their strengths to make a difference!
What Are Some Qualities of a Good Nurse?
A good nurse is someone who cares deeply about providing quality patient care. Often, that level of care shows up through these nurse characteristics:
- Compassion: Compassionate nurses strive to understand patients’ concerns. They may go the extra mile to provide emotional support to patients and their loved ones, especially during stressful situations.
- Communication: During their shifts, nurses must use communication to share information with patients, doctors, and other healthcare team members.
- Respect: Good nurses show respect to every patient, family member, and co-worker. They treat everyone with dignity.
- Adaptability: Things move quickly in healthcare, and nurses must be able to adapt as needed. This may involve responding to new information or handling unexpected situations with flexibility.
- Problem solving: Nurses often need to think quickly and make decisions in real time. Problem-solving skills can help them use their clinical judgment to determine the best path forward.
- Time management: No nursing shift looks the same. Nurses use time management to stay organized while caring for multiple patients and handling various responsibilities.
Real Stories of Nursing Strengths from WCU Alumni
Nursing requires a range of strengths. Every day, West Coast University students, alumni, and faculty demonstrate how qualities like compassion and critical thinking can make a meaningful difference. Here are just a few of their stories.
Quick Thinking in a Critical Moment
When WCU-Los Angeles alumna Sophia S. attended the Astroworld music festival in 2021, she couldn’t have predicted what would happen. An unexpected crowd surge became a deadly tragedy, and Sophia went from concert-goer to triage nurse in a matter of minutes.
“I started triaging people in my head,” she said. “You have to decide who needs help first, and who might still have a chance. That’s exactly what we were taught to do.”
Relying on her clinical instincts and quick thinking, Sophia started performing CPR on an injured man and stayed with him until medical teams arrived on scene. Her actions helped save the man’s life, proving that a nurse’s strengths can make all the difference in emergency situations.
Read more of Sophia’s story: ‘Let’s Go Help People:’ How a WCU Nurse Saved a Life at Astroworld
Compassion at the Heart of Care
For one recent WCU-Ontario graduate, the path to nursing grew out of years spent serving others. Before earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Greg D. worked at Goodwill, where he supported people with special needs. The idea of caring for others stuck with him until he eventually decided to pursue nursing as a career.
While the accelerated pace of his program required Greg to work hard and make some short-term sacrifices, he never wavered on his decision. He believes the best part of nursing is the opportunity to connect with patients.
“Being of service to others is the best human experience, in my opinion,” he said. “When you actually do good work and heal people… they show their gratitude, and you understand what they’re going through.”
Read more of Greg’s story: Recent West Coast University BSN Graduate Bring History of Goodwill to ICU as Nurse
Adapting to a New Path in Nursing
Juleen F. didn’t plan to become a nurse. While working as a medical laboratory technician, she began doing bone marrow biopsies and found herself drawn to patient interaction. The unexpected experience caused her to change course and enroll in WCU-Miami’s nursing program.
Nursing school required Juleen, a mother of three, to balance her studies and clinical rotations with a full-time job and family responsibilities. Through it all, Juleen’s adaptability and can-do attitude kept her working toward her goals.
“If you really want something, you’ll do it,” she said. “You still have to juggle that house life, school life, and work life. But it can be done.”
Read more of Juleen’s story: WCU-Miami BSN Graduate’s Passion Took Her From Lab Coat to Scrubs
Respect and Advocacy in Postpartum Care
After leaving a career in property management, Maria T. chose to pursue her lifelong dream of working in healthcare. The WCU-Miami alumna was motivated to advocate for women, especially women of color who may feel dismissed in healthcare settings.
“I’m the middle one of three sisters, I have two nieces, and I know there’s a lot of disparities when a healthcare provider doesn’t listen to you as a woman,” Maria said.
Now specializing in postpartum nursing, Maria brings that same passion to caring for mothers and babies after childbirth. In her role, she uses her nursing strengths to support patients during major life moments and make sure they receive the dignity and respect they deserve.
Read more of Maria’s story: From Property Management to Postpartum: How WCU-Miami BSN Grad Found Her Perfect Job in Mother-Baby Nursing
Celebrating Nursing Strengths for National Nurses Week
National Nurses Week is an opportunity to recognize the strengths that nurses bring to their roles each and every day. During this year’s celebration, we’re extending a heartfelt thank you to the WCU nursing students, alumni, and faculty for all they do and the difference they make. We appreciate you!
If you feel called to use your strengths in the nursing profession, WCU offers nursing degree programs from associate through doctoral levels. Our programs help nursing students build on their strengths through flexible learning formats, industry-current simulation labs, and guidance from experienced faculty. Reach out today to request more information!
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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