Skills needed for Nursing Careers

Decision Making

Mathematics: Must know how to work with the metric system and take measurements of a variety of data such as height, weight, and bodily outputs. Nurses must also know how to calculate the rates of change for vital signs, manage IV drip rates, and discern appropiate medication doses. Also must understand fractions, ratios, arithmetic, formulas, conversion rates, and time calculations.

Physical Endurance: Shifts can last between 8 and 12 hours, with most of the time spent on their feet.

Also includes: sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, bending, reaching, kneeling and twisting.

Observation: Must have the ability to effectively provide accurate information to doctors, other nurses, patients and family members is crucial.

Also includes: listening to patients, practicing nursing procedures effectively, communication, patience, teamwork, paperwork, record keeping and empathy.