5 Soft Nursing Skills and How to Improve Them

Nursing “soft” skills are essential attributes that complement technical knowledge and clinical expertise. These skills are considered intangible and include things like the ability to communicate well, critical thinking and problem solving. While in nursing school the focus is mainly on “hard” skills like checking vitals, administering medication and wound care. Soft skills are harder to teach and learn but are crucial to career success. Here are five key soft nursing skills and tips on how to improve them:

Communication

• Practice attentive listening to understand patients' concerns and needs fully.
• Practice empathy to connect with patients and provide compassionate care.
• Non-verbal communication matters. Pay attention to your body language and facial expressions when interacting with patients.

Critical Thinking

• Problem-Solving: Develop analytical skills to assess complex situations and make sound decisions promptly.
• Clinical Judgment: Hone your ability to analyze patient data, anticipate potential complications and take appropriate actions.

Teamwork

• Foster positive relationships with your fellow nurses and other healthcare professionals. Working well together leads to improved outcomes for patients.
• Adapt to changing circumstances and collaborate with other nurses and medical staff to deliver comprehensive care.

Time Management

• Prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance to patient care.
• Recognize when tasks can be appropriately delegated to other members of the healthcare team, such as nursing assistants or support staff. Delegating tasks effectively can help distribute workload and optimize time utilization.

Stress Management

• Take care of you. Practice self-care by prioritizing things like exercise, sleep and nutrition to manage stress and prevent burnout.
• Don't hesitate to seek support from colleagues, mentors or mental health professionals when experiencing stress or emotional challenges.

If you are interested in growing your nursing a career at Baton Rouge General call or text 985-606-9061 to get in touch with one of our nurse recruiters.