What employers want from graduate nurses
Communication skills
Andrew Gordon, head of professional development, Care Principles Ltd
Nursing is as much an art as it is a science and however technical the environments might be, the key to being a good nurse is the ability to communicate with others. Nurses play a key role in the assessment, treatment and care of patients so their interpersonal skills are critical in the delivery and process of patient care, whatever their field.
The way you communicate through your words and actions can be just as important as the way you complete a practical task, as good communication ensures that every person you meet feels valued and supported – whether patient, family member or colleague.
Gill Small, deputy chief nurse, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
In nursing, communication skills are fundamental to delivering good patient care. Communication is more than just talking to people. You need to listen, synthesise the information and take appropriate action. Negotiation skills are essential to convince colleagues of your proposed plan of action.
In an interview you can demonstrate your communication skills by listening carefully and responding appropriately. If you are asked to participate in a role play make eye contact with the patient, don’t be distracted and show that you are in your comfort zone.
Empathy and compassion
Elaine Strachan-Hall, director of nursing, East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust
To be a good nurse you need to nurse the person, not just the body. It’s more than just performing your day-to-day duties. You’ll need to show tenderness, give time, be gentle in your attitude and tone of voice but be firm when necessary and give patients confidence that you know what you’re doing.
These things make a nurse and will make a huge difference to someone who’s scared, ill or in pain. This is what I look for when appointing nurses, so make sure you talk about how you do your job and make each patient feel special even if it’s just for a minute.
Jon Beadman, managaing director, Apex Nursing & Care Services Ltd
There is no template for how to become a good nurse or carer. Nurses must be able to empathise with their patients. Empathy cannot be learned and is independent of education or cultural background. I always ask about applicants’ commitment to personal training and development.
Commitment can be demonstrated through participation in extra-curricular activities such as care work. Here they learn the basic skills, such as how to catheter or feed someone, and first meet patients who may be vulnerable and whose dignity and confidentiality need to be preserved at all times.
Interpersonal skills
Professor Irene Scott, director of nursing, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Nursing is a unique skill. It requires a good knowledge base acquired through study, a nurturing, caring attitude, compassion, common sense, exceptional communication skills, and a grounded understanding of the social aspects of human responses and behaviours.
Nursing is in the heart so during recruitment I look for nurses who have a passion for their chosen area and a desire to improve the patient experience. A candidate should be able to demonstrate the application of essential care, be proud to be a nurse and be someone I could trust if they were caring for me or for someone I loved.
Dawn Jennings, HR director Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS Foundation Trust
Candidates should demonstrate an interest in their own personal development and provide examples of any contact they have had with people from different cultural backgrounds or of any voluntary work. Such applicants are likely to go the extra mile for the patients in their care once they have started their nursing career.
Nurses who have made it to the top of their profession are usually excellent communicators who adopt an open and honest approach in their dealings with colleagues, patients and carers. Empathy and emotional intelligence are a key part of this approach.
Teamwork
Kathryn Elias, nurse recruitment adviser, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust
Teamwork is an essential requirement for nurses and encompasses the elements of communication, support and development on both an individual and collective basis. It is a fundamental element of providing good nursing care regardless of the client group.
Every role profile will list ‘must be a good team player’ as an essential requirement of the job. We look for individuals who are excellent communicators and who can also show us that they understand and value not only their own contribution but that of others by listening, empathising and having an appropriate sense of humour!