Nurses need compassion in order to

Nurses need compassion in order to empathize with their patients. It is impossible to fully understand exactly how every patient is feeling all the time, but you must appreciate they are having a difficult time and that they need someone to care. If you are unable to be caring and simply be there for someone, you should probably not try to be a nurse. This is just common sense. In particular, hospice nurses and ICU nurses should expect to see patients in the hardest times of their lives.
Patience is a nursing quality that seems obvious, but any nurse will tell you it is one that can be hard to keep on long days. Not only will you need patience with your patients, but also with co-workers, physicians, and family members. When you have been at work eleven hours and the eighth family member from the same patient comes and ask you the same question AGAIN, patience will ABSOLUTELY be a virtue. For obvious reasons a pediatric nurse will need a lot of patience, but this personality trait is really required for any kind of healthcare provider.

While having the other personality traits are important to becoming a nurse, having confidence in yourself and your knowledge is also key. Patients are usually scared. They are often in a situation they don’t understand and you will be the professional that is at the bedside the most often to help them. Your expertise is invaluable. When they ask you a question about their condition, you should never start with "well, um, I think it is because…". Confidence means being aware of what you do know, and when you need to consult others. Patients will appreciate your candor and therefore trust you more when you do have the answers to their questions. You patients need you to be their rock in all this. Making sure you get the proper nurse education will help you gain confidence.